Clearwater Criminal Defense Attorneys Explain How to Beat Bribery Charges
Being charged with bribery can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience. As Clearwater criminal defense attorneys, we understand the fear and uncertainty our clients face when accused of this serious crime.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what constitutes bribery under Florida law, potential penalties if convicted, and most importantly, the best legal defenses to fight the charges. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge to make the best decisions in building a strong defense case.
What is Bribery Under Florida Law?
In simplest terms, bribery involves offering, giving, soliciting, or accepting any benefit in exchange for influencing an official public duty. Under Florida statute 838.015, bribery charges can involve:
- Bribery of public servants
- Bribery in athletic contests
- Bribery of voters
If prosecutors can prove you participated in bribery activities like these, you could face third-degree felony charges punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. However, charges and penalties vary case-by-case.
Common Bribery Scenarios That Lead to Charges
Some of the most common bribery cases we see as Clearwater defense attorneys include:
- Bribing a police officer – Offering money to an officer to avoid a traffic ticket or arrest
- Bribing a government official – Providing gifts, cash, or other benefits to elected officials, inspectors, zoning boards, etc. in exchange for favors like permits, contracts, or lax oversight
- Bribing a juror – Providing compensation to influence a juror’s decision
- Bribing someone to influence an athletic sporting event – Fixing a match by paying athletes, coaches, or referees
These examples can all lead to felony bribery charges. The key is prosecutors must prove you intended to influence an official decision in your favor.
4 Best Legal Defenses to Beat Bribery Charges
If you’ve been accused of bribery in Clearwater or greater Pinellas County, understanding your best legal defenses is critical. As experienced local defense attorneys, we frequently help clients fight and beat these charges using strategies like:
1. Challenge Improper Police Conduct
If police used illegal search and seizure methods to obtain evidence against you, we can file a motion to suppress and have it excluded from your case. Common improper police conduct includes:
- – Coercing a confession
- – Recording you without consent
- – Searching property without a warrant
Challenging how evidence was gathered is one of the most effective ways to weaken the prosecution’s case.
2. Prove No Corrupt Intent to Influence
The key to any Florida bribery charge is proving you intended to influence an official decision. As your defense attorneys, we thoroughly investigate your side of the story to show:
- – You lacked knowledge of what the payment was for
- – The other party misrepresented your actions
- – It was the undercover officer who introduced the idea of compensation
By demonstrating you never tried to corruptly influence any outcomes, we can undermine the prosecution’s accusations of bribery.
3. Allege Entrapment by Police
It’s illegal for police officers to engineer criminal situations just to arrest suspects. We’ve seen troubling cases of Clearwater police coercing individuals into bribery for the sole purpose of filing charges.
As former prosecutors, we know how to build an aggressive entrapment defense by showing:
- – Police implanted the idea of bribery
- – You previously refused suggestions of compensation
- – You lacked predisposition to commit bribery
By proving police misconduct and entrapment, we can achieve full case dismissals for many clients.
4. Negotiate Reduced Charges or Diversion Programs
When possible, we work closely with prosecutors to negotiate reduced bribery penalties or pretrial diversion programs. These alternatives allow our clients to avoid lengthy legal battles and move forward with their lives.
As your defense team, we’ll always exhaust every option to mitigate charges before advising you go to trial.
Why an Experienced Legal Defense Matters
At the end of the day, the consequences for bribery convictions are extremely serious. That’s why building an airtight defense case with an experienced local attorney is so critical.
Don’t leave your future to chance. As proven Clearwater defense attorneys, we have the skills and knowledge to analyze the prosecution’s case, identify weaknesses, and apply the best legal defenses to achieve case dismissals, reduced charges, or acquittals.
If you or a loved one are facing bribery allegations, contact us for a free case evaluation. Our firm provides aggressive representation for all criminal charges in Clearwater and throughout the Tampa Bay area.