DeKalb County Bribery Lawyer

The crime of bribery often involves elected officials, such as politicians and government employees, and usually gets a lot of attention from the media. The cases are complex and often severe.

Therefore, the state will prosecute them aggressively. If the criminal court finds you guilty, there is a potential for serving lengthy prison sentences, paying steep fines, and having the conviction on your permanent criminal record. A DeKalb County bribery lawyer could help you come up with a strong defense for your case. Schedule a meeting with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys to review your case and options.

What is Bribery?

Bribery is a criminal offense that occurs between the person seeking to persuade public officials, including police officers, council members, judges, and any other public officials. According to the Official Code of Georgia § 16-10-2, any person who offers or gives benefits or rewards to individuals representing the state or a political party to influence their decisions or actions is guilty of bribery. Any state representative or a political party accepting payment to control their actions is also guilty of bribery.

Payment to bribe someone does not include legitimate salary, commissions, benefits, food or beverages, awards, certificates, or gifts valued at less than $100. A person the state finds guilty of bribery faces the potential of up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000. A DeKalb County attorney could answer specific questions about bribery charges and potential penalties for a conviction during the consultation.

Examples of Bribery

Most bribery cases are at the state level. However, when large groups of people or a substantial amount of money are involved, the federal government may prosecute the case.

• A government official requesting payment and luxury accommodations in return for a vote in the payee’s favor
• A pharmaceutical company offering monetary incentives to doctors and medical facilities to prescribe certain drugs to patients
• Offering colleges and universities significant donations in exchange for enrolling students who otherwise would not meet the requirements
• A construction company owner offering an elected government official payment in exchange for a large contractor job, such as for public infrastructure contracts

Bribery falls within two categories. Active bribery occurs when someone attempts to offer a bribe to a corporation, state, or federal government official in exchange for favors, and passive corruption happens when the official solicits bribes from others. A      lawyer in DeKalb County could help prepare a sound defense strategy against a bribery charge after a thorough investigation and review of the charge and evidence.

Possible Defense Strategies

There are various defense strategies against bribery charges, including establishing to the criminal court that the alleged defendant never intended to break the law. Another option is arguing that there is insufficient evidence that a crime ever occurred in the first place.

Schedule a Meeting With a Seasoned Bribery Attorney in DeKalb County

A conviction for bribery can lead to severe and life-altering penalties, including serving time in prison, paying steep fines, and having a criminal conviction on your permanent record. Therefore, it is crucial to fight and defend yourself from accusations.

A hard-working and skilled DeKalb County bribery lawyer understands the severity of the charges you face and could provide sound legal advice and help you reach the best potential outcome. The more time you have to prepare, the better your chance of overcoming the charges against you. Call today to schedule a consultation and prepare your defense strategy immediately.