A bribery charge can turn your life upside down, causing significant reputational damage, adversely impacting your personal and professional relationships. This is why, if a prosecutor has leveled accusations of bribery against you, it is crucial to speak to a Fort Lauderdale bribery lawyer to explore your legal options
At The Law Offices of Robert David Malove, our white collar defense attorneys can review the facts of your case and prepare a defense for the best possible outcome. Don’t let your name and reputation be ruined by accusations of bribery when you can do something about it. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Understanding What Constitutes a Bribery Offense
When someone is accused of bribery, the accuser is basically saying that the defendant has attempted to give “gifts” to public officials with the intention of extracting or influencing certain benefits or outcomes from the official.
The “gift” may be monetary, assets, properties, or other valuable items given in the hopes of swaying or currying favor from the official. Because bribery is a second-degree felony, a conviction can attract heavy fines – sometimes as high as thrice the value of the amount offered as a bribe – and a prison sentence of up to 15 years in Fort Lauderdale.
Factors Influencing Penalties in a Fort Lauderdale Bribe Case
Ultimately, the severity of penalties in a bribery case is determined by several factors:
- Whether the accused was the giver or the recipient – Penalties may vary depending on whether someone gave or received the bribe.
- Whether it was targeted at a federal or state official – Bribing a federal official typically attracts stiffer penalties than state official.
- The target’s position of authority – Bribes targeting high-level elected federal or state officials, or high-ranking law enforcement personnel, can attract RICO charges and subsequently, mandatory prison sentence, in addition to monetary penalties.
- Who gave or received the bribe – Monetary fines typically differ for individuals or organizations, with organizations often required to pay up to half a million dollars, as against individuals’ $250,000.
- How much was offered – Higher amounts typically attract more severe punishment.
- Repeat offense – Individuals with a past criminal history (whether related to bribery or not) will likely suffer more extreme consequences.
- If the purpose was to influence judicial outcomes or proceedings – This attracts an obstruction of justice charge that comes with stiffer penalties.
Apart from monetary fines and prison sentences, convicted persons may also lose their professional licenses via suspension or withdrawal, be blacklisted from bidding for federal and state contracts, and/or be banned from vying for and holding public office.
Possible Defense Strategies for a Fort Lauderdale Bribery Case
A bribery conviction attracts serious reputational, financial, professional, and personal loss. That is too much for one person to bear. With proper defense strategies, an experienced bribery defense lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can counter the accusations and make a case for the defendant.
Some effective ways to defend a bribery allegation are contesting the prosecution’s “quid pro quo” argument – which is usually the basis for a bribery case, making a case demonstrating the defendant was possibly entrapped, and challenging the intent of the payments or gifts to the recipient. Attacking the evidence provided by the prosecution is also a valid play.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Bribery Attorney About Your Defense
If you do not move quickly to quash the bribery allegation, you stand to possibly lose everything that matters to you. Do not wait until it is too late to obtain effective defense. At The Law Offices of Robert David Malove, an experienced Fort Lauderdale bribery lawyer can work to get the case dismissed, reduce the charges, secure a “not guilty” verdict, and even procure lenient penalties. Call us today to discuss your options.