Some individuals perceive bribery as a harmless act, but it is considered a serious criminal offense. A person convicted of bribery could face imprisonment and extravagant fines. If you are facing these charges, let a Summerville bribery lawyer provide critical legal assistance to fight against the accusations.
A dedicated criminal defense attorney could fight to protect your constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and refrain from answering questions by law enforcement during the investigation. Additionally, a lawyer could prepare a legal defense to the charges and work on your behalf to achieve a favorable resolution to the situation.
Bribery Laws in Summerville
Bribery involves the offering or giving of something of value to another person in exchange for a favor. This could include providing an incentive to avoid something undesirable, such as arrest, or obtaining something desirable, such as a specific political position.
Summerville laws prohibiting bribery can be found in Article 3 of the chapter on offenses against public justice in Title 16 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This article outlines the various offenses involving the offering and acceptance of bribes to and by officers, jurors, and others. Bribery offenses include:
- Receiving a reward or inducement by a sheriff or other law enforcement officer to delay arrest, presentation before a magistrate, or transportation to prison
- Unlawful acceptance by peace officers of remuneration for performing official duties
- Offering bribes to or acceptance of bribes by executive, legislative, or judicial officers
- Offering bribes to or acceptance of bribes by jurors, arbitrators, referees, or umpires
- Offering bribes or acceptance of bribes in relation to procuring public office
- Acceptance of extra compensation or rebates by individuals holding positions or offices of trust in the state or its public institutions
An attorney could explain Summerville’s bribery laws in more detail and provide specific examples of actions constituting bribery.
Penalties for Unlawful Financial Influence
The penalties for bribery convictions vary based on the specific offense. The penalties for some forms of bribery include confinement ranging from several months to several years. The court could also impose a fine, the amount of which is left open to their discretion.
The penalty for offering or giving a bribe to any officer, including law enforcement officers and officers of the court, is a sentence of up to five years in the State Penitentiary with hard labor. Alternatively, a person convicted of bribing an officer could be sentenced to a jail term not exceeding one year and a $3,000 fine.
As another example, jurors or arbiters who are found guilty of accepting a bribe could be sentenced to either a State Penitentiary sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to $1,000 with confinement in jail for up to one year. The offense of accepting a bribe to help another individual procure a public office is punishable by an unspecified term of imprisonment, the length of which is left to the discretion of the sentencing court.
A lawyer who handles bribery cases in Summerville could also explain the penalties associated with other forms of bribery, such as the acceptance of extra compensation by individuals in state or public positions of trust.
Contact a Summerville Bribery Attorney for Assistance
There is no reason to fight bribery charges alone. A Summerville bribery lawyer could represent you and help you fight the allegations by building a strong case.
An attorney could work to protect your legal rights while working to attain an optimal result in your case. Contact an attorney who handles bribery cases for assistance right away.