Alexandria Bribery Lawyer
Being accused of any type of crime can be a traumatic ordeal for most people. But some crimes have far-reaching effects that few realize can change the rest of their lives. The types of crimes that typically come to mind in this category are serious felonies like robbery, murder, extortion, rape, and others, but a conviction for the crime of bribery could have just as long-lasting an effect as these violent offenses. If you have been accused of committing a bribery-related offense, speak to an Alexandria bribery lawyer that can help you prepare to defend yourself in a court of law. An experienced criminal defense attorney could work tirelessly to build your defense.
State and Federal Bribery Laws
Under the laws of the state of Virginia, a person is guilty of the crime of bribery under Virginia statute §18.2-447 if that person offers, accepts, or solicits a benefit in exchange for something in the power of the recipient. The benefit is not limited to money alone or pecuniary benefit, but also includes non-pecuniary benefits (donations, tickets to events, benefits such as providing car services, et al.). The exchange of the benefit could be a decision, an opinion, a recommendation, a vote, or another exercise of official discretion. Those who are in a position of official discretion often include judges, politicians, administrators, law enforcement, and other state officials.
In addition to state law violations, an individual may be guilty of committing a federal offense as well. Under federal law 18 U.S. Code § 201, an individual that gives anything of value to a public official with the intent to influence an official act, or an official that accepts anything of value to corruptly confer a benefit, may be guilty of bribery. The law is broadly written to include many types of offenses that could be considered bribery or corruption. The legislative intent behind framing the wording of the statute in this manner is to cast the widest net possible to make it easier to convict persons suspected of bribery.
Consequences of a Bribery Related Conviction
A conviction for the crime of bribery could result in a number of consequences, including:
- Community service
- Imprisonment
- Legal fees
- Court fines
- Restitution
- Parole
- Probation
- House arrest
In addition to these penalties, a bribery conviction will likely appear on criminal background searches, may come up in job interviews, and even arise in the course of civil litigation. In civil court, some crimes can be used to impeach a party or witness that has testified. Impeachment refers to proving that a party or witness is making an inconsistent statement. This can be done in a variety of ways, like using past statements to show that current statements are false.
Crimes that affect an individual’s veracity for truthfulness can also be used to impeach them at trial, including bribery, extortion, blackmail, and perjury. For example, if an individual was filing a lawsuit for personal injuries that result from a motor vehicle accident years after a bribery conviction, only to find that their bribery conviction could prevent the claimant from recovering for their injuries. By working with an Alexandria bribery lawyer, an individual can attempt to prevent future hardship that could result from the conviction.
Talking to an Alexandria Bribery Attorney Today
Some say that the best legal defense is the one that is most prepared. Do not hesitate to contact an Alexandria bribery lawyer immediately. A defense attorney can review the charges against you, develop a trial strategy, and help you make the decisions that you will most benefit from. If you have questions about your case, call now for a free consultation.
