Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

376.   Perverting the course of justice

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    (1)   A person commits an offence of perverting the course of justice if he or she acts or embarks upon a course of conduct which has a tendency to and is intended to pervert the course of justice.

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    (2)   Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) the following acts or course of conduct may amount to the offence of perverting the course of justice—

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      (a)     where a person knowingly makes a false allegation to the police to the effect that another person has committed a crime and as a result that other person is arrested;

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      (b)     where an act is done by a person with the intention of concealing the fact that a crime has been committed, and it is immaterial whether or not proceedings are pending or have commenced in respect of the crime;

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      (c)     where a person does an act with the intention of assisting another person whom he or she knows is wanted by the police to evade lawful arrest;

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      (d)     where in judicial proceedings a witness alters his or her evidence or does not give evidence on account of affection, gain, reward or hope or promise of a reward;

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      (e)     where a person who has been summoned as a witness without lawful excuse absents himself or herself in return for payment or reward;

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      (f)     where a person by any means or with any promise, induces another to withdraw charges made or induces another not to pursue the prosecution of an offence;

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      (g)     the publication of any matter calculated to prejudice the fair trial of a case pending in the Court.

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    (3)   A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 5 years.

Intimidation of Judicial Officers