Colorado § 18-8-703 - Bribing a witness or victim.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-8-703 — Bribing a witness or victim., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 18-8-703. Bribing a witness or victim.
(1) A person commits bribing a witness or victim if he or she offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit upon a witness, or a victim, or a person he or she believes is to be called to testify as a witness or victim in any official proceeding, or upon a member of the witness' family, a member of the victim's family, a person in close relationship to the witness or victim, or a person residing in the same household as the witness or victim with intent to:
(a) Influence the witness or victim to testify falsely or unlawfully withhold any testimony; or
(b) Induce the witness or victim to avoid legal process summoning him to testify; or
(c) Induce the witness or victim to absent himself or herself from an official proceeding.
(2) Bribing a witness or victim is a class 4 felony.
Source: L. 84: Entire part added, p. 501, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2004: IP(1) and (1)(c) amended, p. 435, § 1, effective July 1.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 18-8-602 as it existed prior to 1984.
ANNOTATION
"Any official proceeding" does not require a bribe to occur only after official proceedings have been initiated. Bribery occurs when a defendant offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit to someone the defendant believes is to be called, or who may be called, to testify in any official proceeding, with the intent to influence the testimony. People v. Lancaster, 2022 COA 82, 519 P.3d 1053.
An attorney found guilty of subornation of perjury under this section will be disbarred. People ex rel. Colo. Bar Ass'n v. McCann, 80 Colo. 220, 249 P. 1093 (1926) (decided under former C.L. § 6777).
An agreement in which money or other valuable consideration is paid in exchange for a crime victim's efforts to obtain leniency in connection with a criminal charge is void as against Colorado public policy. Because at least part of the consideration for execution of a settlement agreement and promissory note was given in an attempt to hinder or stifle the prosecution of the defendant's wife, the entire agreement and promissory note are void. Rademacher v. Becker, 2015 COA 133, 374 P.3d 499.
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 18-8-703
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-8-703 cover?
Section 18-8-703 ("Bribing a witness or victim.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 18-8-703?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-8-703" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 18-8-703 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.