1254

Any person who lends himself to assist in any manner or who otherwise exerts influence to save any person from being persecuted, arrested or convicted for any violation of the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title, or who has a direct or indirect interest in the games prohibited by §§ 1247—1257 of this title, or who fails or refuses to prosecute any violator of any of the provisions of §§ 1247—1257 of this title, shall be guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term which shall in no case be less than one year nor more than ten (10) years. Such person shall be excluded from the benefits of §§ 1026—1029 of Title 34, and shall be disabled to discharge any public office; Provided, further, That the provisions of this section shall not be construed in the sense of depriving a defendant of his right to be represented by counsel, as such right is recognized under the laws.\nHistory —May 15, 1948, No. 220, p. 738, § 8.