Quantico Bribery Lawyer
Bribery charges in Quantico, Virginia often involve illegal campaign contributions or illegal gifts to public servants for the purpose of influencing decisions. A conviction for this crime could permanently impact your life.
If you are facing bribery charges, you may benefit from speaking with a dedicated defense attorney about your options. Working with a Quantico bribery lawyer to build your defense could significantly improve your chances of avoiding the severe penalties associated with this offense.
Bribery Defined
The definition of a bribe under state law is found in Virginia Code Ann §18.2-447. Under the statute, bribery involves providing a thing of value to a public servant to influence their decisions, which could include anything from executive actions to judicial proceedings. While bribes typically involve money, they can be made with any item of value, including actions or information. As a Class 5 felony, a bribery conviction could result in up to 10 years in prison.
Bribery is also prohibited under federal law. According to 18 U.S.C. §201, a bribe involves giving a thing of value to an official in exchange for the official doing or omitting one of their duties. The penalty for a federal bribery conviction can lead to a maximum prison sentence of 15 years as well as a significant fine.
It is possible that an act of bribery could result in either state or federal charges. In both circumstances, the potential penalties are significant. A local attorney who is experienced in bribery cases could help a defendant understand how the state and federal charges for this crime differ.
Valid Defenses
The defense strategy can differ significantly from one bribery case to another. Every case is different, and the evidence available to the Commonwealth’s attorney varies. A bribery attorney in the area should carefully review the evidence against their client before evaluating the strongest defenses available.
In many cases, the strongest defense involves demonstrating that the prosecution has failed to meet its burden of proof that the defendant intended to commit the offense. Many bribery charges are based on misunderstandings, and a defendant might be able to show a jury that a transaction was entirely above board. If a defendant can demonstrate that their transaction was unrelated to any official decision, they could avoid a conviction at trial. A defendant could also argue that the action taken by the public official was in the public interest and that the official’s decision was not impacted by the defendant.
A local bribery lawyer could also build a defense on constitutional grounds. Every person has the right to live free of unlawful searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. If the Commonwealth’s attorney obtains evidence through an unlawful search and seizure, the defense could have the evidence suppressed at the trial.
Speak with a Quantico Bribery Attorney
The aftermath of an arrest for bribery can be confusing, and it may be difficult for a defendant to know which next steps to take. These charges are serious and are easily complicated without the help of skilled legal counsel.
If you are facing bribery charges or believe you are under investigation, do not hesitate to contact Quantico bribery lawyer as soon possible. A knowledgeable defense attorney could help you fight for a positive resolution to your case. Call today to schedule a consultation.
