What is required for a witness intimidation charge to be initiated?

A witness intimidation charge can be initiated based on any attempt to intimidate a witness. This means that the mere act of trying to intimidate someone, regardless of whether it was successful or resulted in physical harm, is sufficient for charges to be pursued. The law recognizes that even an attempt to obstruct justice or influence a witness's testimony is a serious offense because it undermines the integrity of the judicial process.

In contrast, the other options either set higher thresholds or introduce conditions that are not necessary for the initiation of the charge. For example, requiring successful intimidation means that without achieving the intended effect, no charge could be filed, which is not aligned with the legal framework surrounding witness intimidation. Moreover, the presence of prior convictions is not a prerequisite for initiating intimidation charges; it may factor into sentencing or considerations related to the offender but does not influence the initiation of charges based on intimidation attempts. Lastly, while physical harm might seem like a serious element of intimidation, it is not a necessary component for charges to be brought. Thus, the correct understanding emphasizes that the attempt itself is a critical element for prosecution.