This section prohibits using violence, force, extortionate threats, or true threats against certain public and election-related people, and it also prohibits retaliation against elected officials.
§122. Public intimidation and retaliation A. Public intimidation is the use of violence, force, extortionate threats, or true threats upon any of the following persons, with the intent to influence his conduct in relation to his position, employment, or duty: (1) Public officer or public employee. (2) Grand or petit juror. (3) Witness, or person about to be called as a witness upon a trial or other proceeding before any court, board or officer authorized to hear evidence or to take testimony. (4) Voter or election official at any general, primary, or special election. (5) School bus operator. B. Retaliation against an elected official is the use of violence, force, extortionate threats, or true threats upon a person who is elected to public office, where: (1) The violence, force, or threat is related to the duties of the elected official. (2) Is in retaliation or retribution for actions taken by the elected official as part of his official duties. C. For purposes of this Section: (1) "Extortionate threats" occur when a person communicates an unlawful threat to harm another person with the intention to obtain anything of value or any acquittance, advantage, or immunity of any description and the person would not otherwise be able to lawfully secure such advantage willingly from the victim. (2) "True threats" occur when a person communicates a serious expression of an intent to commit an unlawful act of violence upon a person or group of persons with the intent to place such persons in fear of bodily harm or death. The person need not actually intend to carry out the threat. D. Whoever commits the crime of public intimidation or retaliation against an elected official shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 479, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1089, §2; Acts 2019, No. 311, §1.