Los Angeles Bribery Lawyer

What is Bribery?

California has a multitude of bribery statutes criminalizing bribery, depending on who the offeror or recipient of the bribe is. (Penal Code sections 67, 68, 85, 86, 92, 93, 165, 137, 138, 641.3.)

A bribe is the giving, or even just the offer to give, anything of value to any public official with the specific intent (sometimes called corrupt intent) to influence the public official’s decision in any matter under the jurisdiction of their office. Therefore, any gift or offer to make a gift to any public official may be misconstrued as a bribe and may lead to criminal prosecution.

Public officials may also be sanctioned for giving or receiving bribes. Therefore, just being in public light may subject you to criminal scrutiny which you never could have foreseen.

If you are facing bribery charges, it is essential to have legal representation from a bribery attorney. Our Los Angeles bribery lawyers may help you to disqualify the prosecutor’s evidence against you.

What Are Penalties for Bribery Charges?

Bribery is a serious crime, and almost always a felony no matter who the recipient of the bribe is. (Exceptions include ministerial officers, the bribery of whom may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. Penal Code section 67.5)

The punishment does vary however depending on the specific public office held by the recipient of the bribe.

• Bribery to an Executive Officer (police, city, county, or district prosecutors): 2, 3, or 4 years prison (Penal Code section 67)
• Bribery from an Executive Officer: 2, 3, or4 years state prison (Penal Code section 68)
• Bribery to a Legislator (State senator, any city, county, school district, or other legislators): 2, 3, or 4 years (Penal Code section 85)
• Accepting a Bribe as a Legislator: 2, 3, or 4years prison (Penal Code section 86)
• Bribery to a Judge, Juror, or Arbitrator: 2, 3, or 4 years (Penal Code section 92
• Accepting a Bribe as a Judge, Juror, or Arbitrator: 2, 3, or 4 years (Penal Code section 93)
• Bribery to a Council member: any common council, board of supervisors, or board of trustees of any county, city and county, city, or public corporation – 2, 3, or 4 years state prison (Penal Code section 165)
• Bribery to a Person who has material information pertaining to a crime: 2, 3, or 4 years state prison (Penal Code section 137)
• Bribery to a Witness in a Criminal Case: 16 months, or 2, o 3 years state prison (Penal Code section 138)
• Accepting a Bribe as an Employee: 1-year county jail or16 months or 2 or 3 years in state prison (Penal Code section 641.3)

Each of these crimes may also come with a fine of several thousand dollars. If you or your loved one is battling bribery charges, it would be wise to seek the legal representation of a Los Angeles bribery attorney.

Our bribery lawyers will help you argue your case for a possible reduction of the penalties. If you are in Los Angeles, consult us to ensure the best possible outcome in your case.

What are the Best Defenses to Assert in Court?

Bribery is a specific intent crime, so to convict someone of a bribery offense, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that at the time the gift was made, the intent of the giver was to influence the decision-making of the recipient in some official or professional capacity.

As a practical matter, having a preexisting personal relationship with the recipient or having another readily apparent motive for giving the gift will be a defense.

With the help of a competent Los Angeles bribery lawyer, you can present several defenses to argue your case. If you need legal assistance from a criminal defense attorney, call us today to discuss the details of your case.

Fight Back With the Help of Our Firm

You should immediately contact an experienced Los Angeles bribery lawyer, like those at Manshoory Law Group, to assist you in analyzing the specific facts of your case, preparing and presenting defenses before and during the trial, and making sure you understand your rights and helping you enforce them.

If you need legal assistance from a Los Angeles bribery attorney, call our attorney today to discuss the details of your case. The risks of a Bribery conviction are too great to go-it-alone. Call now for a free consultation (877) 977-7750.