As a public official, you can become subject to bribes, or when a person attempts to change your mind or influence you in various ways by giving, promising, or offering something of monetary value. Accepting a bribe can have severe consequences if the act becomes public, and might result in serious penalties as well as irreversible damage to your reputation. Help yourself by contacting a Tequesta bribery Lawyer to handle your case and subsequently avoid these life-changing issues.
When you rely on one of our experienced Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert to avoid bribery involvement and related charges, you are taking a stand against white collar criminal activities and demonstrating your dedication to upholding State laws. A Tequesta bribery Lawyer will help you create a case that shows your innocence and makes it clear that you remain immune to bribes and other criminal activities of any kind, white collar or otherwise.
How Does Tequesta Define Bribery?
The Florida Statutes discuss bribery in Chapter 838: Bribery; Misuse of Public Office. Bribery can include the exchange of goods, money, or services to sway a public official, such as bribing them to vote differently on an upcoming piece of legislation. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement outlines numerous statutes under the bribery umbrella, such as bribes involving public lands and properties, bribery in athletic competitions, and bribes accepted by witnesses as well as those surrounding corrupt voting.
In addition to sports and public officials such as umpires and county representatives, respectively, bribes can relate to the following persons:
- Peace officers such as police officers and state troopers
- Jurors
- Judges
- Professional practitioners such as Lawyers and physicians
- Business directors and partners
- Other officers of government entities
Attorneys in Tequesta represent these and other individuals with authority who become subject to bribery attempts.
What Penalties Does the State Issue in Bribery Convictions?
Penalties naturally vary according to the type of bribery. Bribing a public official, for example, typically results in 15 years in prison and fines up to three times the bribe’s amount. Bribing a bank official can result in 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines, while bribing a sports official includes five years in prison. Those who bribe port authority figures can get up to 15 years in prison. The defendant may incur additional penalties depending on their bribery-related crime, such as a fine of $5,000 and at least five years of jail time for physically intimidating or injuring a public servant. Legal professionals in Tequesta usually request the maximum penalty to protect the victim’s reputations and provide compensation for the mental anguish they have endured.
Prosecution’s Burden of Proving Bribery
To prove a bribery case’s validity in the Sunshine State, the Attorney must show that the public official was employed by the government or another entity at the time of the incident and had jurisdiction over the issue in question. They must additionally show that the public servant had the power to act according to the briber’s wishes and that their actions would have directly correlated to the desired outcome.
Speak with a Tequesta Bribery Attorney Today
If you believe someone intentionally tried to bribe you for an outcome in their favor, schedule a consultation with a Tequesta bribery Lawyer. One of our Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert will review every detail connected to your case to potentially show that a willful act of bribery occurred and call for the appropriate penalties.
Contact a Tequesta law firm today regarding your bribery case to prove that you cannot be bought and that you adhere to state and federal laws. Maintain your title and hopefully enjoy many more years of service by discussing your case in a timely fashion.
