If you were charged with bribery or believe you may be under investigation, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. You have a right not to say anything to the police until you can consult a lawyer about your case. A Goose Creek bribery lawyer could help you develop a defense strategy and safeguard your rights during the criminal justice process.
A conviction for bribery not only means possible prison time and fines, but a criminal record will also affect where you can work, live, and go to school. Not to mention, it is a crime of dishonesty and could impact your personal and professional relationships. Do not hesitate to contact a knowledgeable defense attorney to discuss the charges against you.
Bribery Offenses in South Carolina
Under South Carolina’s criminal code, bribery involves influencing or attempting to influence a public official to do something in exchange for something of value. Most often, this is money, but it could be a lavish trip or gift. Some common examples of bribery include:
- Gifting a social membership
- Payments for special treatment
- Paying a politician to vote a certain way
- Sexual favors in exchange for something
- Paying over the asking price for real estate
- Offering money to a witness for not testifying
- Sending money to a business owned by a public official to influence them
Bribery can involve a wide range of conduct, even though people tend to think it only encompasses handing someone a check. In South Carolina, there are two main types of bribery charges:
- Against a public official, elected representative, or government employee: If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.
- Against an agent, servant, or employee of a business: Someone convicted could spend up to a year behind bars and pay up to $500 in fines.
Ask a skilled lawyer to discuss these bribery charges and any potential defenses based on the circumstances of a specific case in Goose Creek.
Defenses to Bribery Charges
A conviction for bribery requires the prosecutor to prove the defendant’s state of mind. In other words, someone cannot be found guilty of bribery unless they had the requisite intent. It is not enough to point to a financial transaction with a public official. The government must show that the person accused indented to bribe the person. Some common defenses to bribery include:
- Entrapment
- Lack of intent
- Lack of evidence
- Mistaken identity
- Good faith defense
- Constructive fraud
- Constitutional violation
The penalties for bribery vary depending on the nature of the crime. However, the potential consequences are serious, especially at the federal level. Consult a qualified Goose Creek bribery attorney before speaking to investigators or police.
Speak to a Goose Creek Bribery Attorney Today
An accusation of bribery is serious, and the sooner you take action, the better your chance of defeating the charges. Speak to a Goose Creek bribery lawyer about your options. With the stakes so high, you need a dedicated criminal defense attorney to advocate on your behalf.
Depending on the evidence against you, we may be able to have the charges reduced or dropped entirely. There is no reason to fight the charges on your own; contact our office to schedule a free consultation.