Being convicted of bribery can impact the rest of your life. In addition to the jail time and fines, it can damage your standing in the community and make it difficult to maintain your career. The good news is that many people fight these charges and ultimately beat them with the help of our Cranberry Township bribery lawyer.
If you have been accused of bribery, you deserve a legal team that will fight for your rights. Our law firm is made up exclusively of former prosecutors, and we look forward to putting our experience to good use protecting your rights. Let our dedicated defense attorneys at Benjamin Levine Law advocate on your behalf.
Bribery charges are appropriate in cases where someone offers, gives, receives, or solicits something of value with the intent to influence the actions of a public official. This offense is designed to target both sides of the illegal transaction. In other words, you can be charged with the same crime, whether you offer a bribe or accept one. What matters is whether or not you had the intent to enter into this type of transaction.
Bribery does not always involve cash payments. You could be charged for an offer of anything of value, including services or favors. Even if the bribe is never delivered or the public official refuses it, the mere act of offering something with corrupt intent may be enough to trigger charges.
These allegations can arise in a variety of situations, but they are most common when a public official has decision-making power that could benefit a private citizen or business.
Bribery is classified as a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania, but depending on the circumstances, it can lead to additional charges such as conspiracy or official oppression. The legal consequences are severe, including prison time, professional consequences, and long-lasting damage to your reputation. However, you will only face these penalties if you are found guilty. That’s where our Cranberry Township bribery attorneys come in.
You are entitled to a vigorous defense after being charged with bribery, and our Cranberry Township lawyers will work tirelessly to help you find the right approach. Some common examples include the following:
There is an intent element to every bribery case, and the prosecution has to establish it beyond a reasonable doubt. You cannot accidentally offer or solicit a bribe, so there must be some evidence that you intended to influence someone’s decision.
You can only be convicted of a crime if the prosecution can establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There are times when the evidence against you is so weak that your attorney might argue there is not enough to convict you, even if you assume everything the prosecution says is true.
One of the less common defense strategies used in bribery cases is entrapment. While the police can use deception to make an arrest, they cannot coerce you into committing a crime when you would not have done so otherwise. Your attorney may be able to show that the motivation to offer or solicit a bribe came from the police, not you.
If you have been implicated in a bribery scandal, it is important that you seek the guidance of skilled legal counsel right away. Our attorneys are ready to put their experience to use advocating on your behalf. Reach out to our Cranberry Township bribery lawyer at Benjamin Levine Law today to learn more.