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Threats and other improper influence in official and political matters - 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4702

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     § 4702.  Threats and other improper influence in official and
                political matters.
        (a)  Offenses defined.--A person commits an offense if he:
            (1)  threatens unlawful harm to any person with intent to
        influence his decision, opinion, recommendation, vote or
        other exercise of discretion as a public servant, party
        official or voter;
            (2)  threatens unlawful harm to any public servant with
        intent to influence his decision, opinion, recommendation,
        vote or other exercise of discretion in a judicial or
        administrative proceeding; or
            (3)  threatens unlawful harm to any public servant or
        party official with intent to influence him to violate his
        known legal duty.
        (b)  Defense prohibited.--It is no defense to prosecution
     under this section that a person whom the actor sought to
     influence was not qualified to act in the desired way, whether
     because he had not yet assumed office, or lacked jurisdiction,
     or for any other reason.
        (c)  Grading.--An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
     of the second degree unless the actor threatened to commit a
     crime or made a threat with intent to influence a judicial or
     administrative proceeding, in which cases the offense is a
     felony of the third degree.

        Cross References.  Section 4702 is referred to in section
     5708 of this title; section 5552 of Title 42 (Judiciary and
     Judicial Procedure).

Last modified: November 27, 2007