Federal Crime of Bribery – 18 U.S.C. § 201
Usually where I'm seeing these bribery cases found at the federal level has to do with somebody offering some money to a public official – whether it be an elected official, somebody in authority like a police officer – usually these are more sophisticated crimes in order to get the federal government involved in prosecuting them.
Bribery usually involves someone offering money, goods, or services to someone in exchange for something that they are trying to obtain. Often, bribery involves government officials. For example, a person might offer to give a police officer $1,000 in exchange for not arresting them.
Bribery can manifest in many ways, but all charges are serious. Anyone charged with federal bribery should obtain an attorney who understands the law and the court system where the case is pending.
Typically, the state deals with bribery-related offenses. So, for it to be federal, it will have to involve sophistication, probably a high-level individual.
Anytime the federal government's money is at stake, involved, or being played with in a bribery case, the federal government is likely to get involved, investigate, and prosecute it.
A federal bribery charge is not to be taken lightly. It carries with it the potential for life-changing consequences. It's crucial to have a federal criminal lawyer in your corner, fighting your case. Our federal lawyers at Hedding Law Firm have the necessary experience and knowledge to defend you competently. We will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.
If you've been charged with bribery, don't wait. Contact our federal attorneys immediately. We guarantee our hard work and our determination to fight on your behalf. The sooner we can start working on your case, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
What is Federal Bribery Under 18 U.S.C. § 201?
Bribery is the act of using money or goods to influence another person's actions. Both the person who offers the bribe and the person who accepts the bribe can be charged with a felony offense.
According to 18 U.S.C. § 201, whoever directly or indirectly corruptly gives, offers, or promises anything of value to any public official or person who has been selected to be a public official or offers or promises any public official or any person who has been selected to be a public official to give anything of value to any other person or entity with the intent to influence that individual's actions and behavior will face punishment.
Common examples include white-collar crimes, money laundering, and honest services.
A conviction of bribery results in huge monetary fines and up to 15 years of imprisonment. Due to these harsh penalties, you must contact our federal defense lawyers and tell us your situation so we can tell you what we can do for you.
The Feds will be all over your case, so you must contact our federal lawyers immediately so we can start intervening and preparing immediately.
Contact a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Suppose you're being charged with a bribery case at the federal level. In that case, your best course of action is to sit down with a seasoned federal criminal defense attorney who has not only handled these types of cases before but is familiar with the jurisdiction where the case is pending.
Depending on which prosecutor is dealing with it or which judge is involved, that will likely dictate the stance and harshness that the prosecutors will prosecute this case with.
When I handle these bribery cases, I bring the client in, sit down, and discuss everything in the privacy of the attorney-client privilege. That way, anything discussed is protected, and the client can feel comfortable telling the truth about what happened.
Then, we can decide on the best defense strategy regarding the bribery charge. For instance, we might argue lack of intent or challenge the prosecution's evidence.
We will guide you through the process, whether the case is going to be litigated through a trial or whether it's a situation where some sort of plea bargain is struck with the prosecutors.
It really depends on the circumstances, the punishment the person is facing, and whether or not the person actually has a defense to the bribery charge. Call us and set up a free face-to-face consultation with our lawyers to discuss the potential outcomes and your best course of action.