House Bill 5932

House Bill 5933

Sponsor: Rep. Ken Daniels

Committee: Criminal Law and Corrections

Complete to 8-24-00

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5932 AND 5933 AS INTRODUCED 6-21-00

House Bill 5932 would amend the Penal Code (MCL 750.119) to specify penalties for the existing crime of bribing or attempting to bribe an appraiser, receiver, trustee, administrator, executor, commissioner, auditor, juror, arbitrator, or referee in order to influence his or her decisions or opinions regarding any matter pending before a court or inquest, or in the decision that the individual was appointed or chosen to make. Bribing or attempting to bribe a juror or other person would continue to be a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to four years and/or a fine of up to $2,000. However, if the violation were committed in a criminal case where the maximum term of imprisonment for the underlying crime was more than ten years, or was for life or any term of years, the bribery crime could be punished by up to ten years imprisonment.

House Bill 5932 is tie-barred to House Bill 5925, which would increase penalties for intimidating jurors; House Bill 5928, which would prohibit obstruction of justice; and House Bill 5930, which would prohibit interfering with or intimidating witnesses.

House Bill 5933, which would not take effect unless House Bill 5932 was also enacted, would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure's statutory sentencing guidelines (MCL 777.16f) to include bribing a juror or other person in a criminal case punishable by more than ten years imprisonment - a Class D crime against public trust with a 10 year statutory maximum.

Both bills would take effect on January 1, 2000.

Analyst: W. Flory

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.