It seems like a good idea: Fine people who intimidate witnesses, then use the money to help others avoid similar threats. But as City Council today takes up a bill that would impose a fine of up to $2,000 on those who bully witnesses, some legal analysts say that the new law probably would not affect this growing problem. "We have statutes on the book that make [witness intimidation] a felony," said Edward Ohlbaum of Temple's Beasley School of Law. "I can't believe they're going to be deterred — 'Well, I don't have any problem going to jail, but if they're going to fine me, I'm not going to intimidate the witness.'"