Bill > HB44

This bill revises Montana's existing law on tampering with or fabricating physical evidence by establishing more severe penalties specifically for cases involving homicide investigations. Currently, tampering with evidence during an official proceeding is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000. The bill introduces a new provision that significantly increases the penalties when such tampering occurs in connection with a homicide investigation and interferes with a coroner's or medical examiner's ability to determine the cause or manner of death. Under the new provision, individuals convicted of such actions could face up to 40 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $100,000. The core offense remains the same: intentionally altering, destroying, concealing, or removing records or documents, or creating false evidence with the purpose of impeding an official proceeding or investigation. The key change is the substantially harsher punishment when the evidence tampering is related to a homicide investigation, reflecting the serious nature of obstructing justice in cases involving potential murder.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC0320