Any person who attempts personally or through third parties to influence the action or decision of any grand or petit juror of any court in this State or any prospective juror, upon any issue or matter which is or may be pending before such juror or before the jury of which he is or may become a member, by writing or sending him any written communication or making any oral communication relating to such issue or matter, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the communication of a request to appear before the grand jury, or other communication authorized by the court.