972a

For the purposes of §§ 972—972j of this title, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed herein:(a) Victim.— Means any natural person against whom any crime contemplated by the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the laws of the United States of America has been committed or attempted.(b) Witness.— Means any natural person who has knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of facts related to a crime or offense and whose testimony shall be admitted or has been admitted as evidence for any purpose, who has informed any police officer, prosecutor, sociopenal officer, penal guard, judicial official or representative of an investigative entity of the Commonwealth of any offense; he who has received a summons or order to appear at a proceeding before any magistrate of Puerto Rico or the United States, before the Legislature, or before a legally authorized public agency.(c) Potential witness.— Means any natural person who has knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of facts related to a crime or offense.(d) Family/relatives.— Means any natural person with family ties or of another nature with the victim, witnesses and potential witnesses of an offense, who could be

acts related to a crime or offense.(d) Family/relatives.— Means any natural person with family ties or of another nature with the victim, witnesses and potential witnesses of an offense, who could be victims of threats, aggressions, attacks or other means of intimidation, in order to prevent the participation of such victims, witnesses and potential witnesses in the judicial and investigative process.(e) Secretary.— Means the Secretary of the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico.(f) Official proceeding.— Means any judicial, legislative or administrative proceeding. History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 11, § 2.