California Bribery Lawyer

What Constitutes Bribery under California Law? 

In California, bribery is the act of offering something of value to another person to influence their actions or decisions. California courts may charge both the individual offering and the individual accepting the bribe with a bribery criminal offense. In many cases, bribes are used to alter decisions that may enable political or public corruption. 

Often, bribes take the form of non-monetary benefits, including:

• Promises
• Gifts
• Goodwill

Note that a written contract is not necessary to demonstrate that bribery occurred. To garner a conviction, the prosecution must demonstrate intent to give or accept a bribe. 

Elements of Bribery 

If you give a public official something valuable in exchange for some action for your benefit, that is considered bribery. Keep in mind that public officials constitute a range of individuals, such as: 

• Jurors
• Judges
• Law enforcement officers
• Board supervisor members

Whether the public official truly has the authority to act in the expected manner is not relevant when it comes to prosecution for bribery. The important thing is whether that public official acted within their range of power. For the prosecution to garner a conviction for bribery, they must demonstrate the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 

1. Value 

The prosecutor must demonstrate that you offered or accepted something of value for the purpose of influencing a decision. Both parties need not have agreed to the bribe. You may still be convicted if you offered one, even if it was not accepted.

2. Corrupt Intent

The prosecution must demonstrate wrongful intent to convict a person of bribery. Additionally, the prosecution is required to provide witnesses or evidence to establish that you had dishonest intentions. At that point, the judge decides the outcome of your case. 

3. An Official Matter

Prosecutors in California are not required to provide a particular instance of bribery to convict a defendant. A bribe may consist of common favors, which might appear as innocent gestures. But if you offered or accepted a bribe intending to modify an official decision, you may be proven guilty of this white-collar criminal act. 

If you are suspected of having bribed a public official for financial benefit in California, you may be facing life-altering consequences. You need a skilled Santa Barbara bribery defense lawyer in your corner to effectively defend your rights and liberties. 

What Are the Penalties for Bribery in California?

In many cases, bribery is charged as a federal crime if the decisions that were modified by the bribe involved the public. If you are found guilty of bribery, you may face the following punishments:

• Bribery as a misdemeanor offense may involve a jail sentence, while a felony offense may lead to a state prison sentence that may range from two to four years.
• Bribes that were only offered and not received may result in fines up to $10,000.
• If a bribe was accepted, you may have to pay back the amount offered as a bribe or $2,000, whichever is higher. If the bribe involved a more significant sum of money, you may have to pay $10,000 or an amount equal to the bribe received. 
• If you hold public office, you may be required to forfeit your official standing if you are convicted of bribery. 

In most cases, bribery is indicted as a felony offense. The time you spend in prison and the amount you pay in fines are usually determined by the category of corruption charges you face, along with the value of money, gifts, or favors involved in the bribe.

Legal Defenses against Bribery Charges in Santa Barbara 

While the penalties that accompany a criminal charge for bribery may be worrisome, it is essential to remember that there are legal defense strategies available for this offense. The bribery defense attorneys at the Aron Law Firm have considerable experience in high-stakes litigation. They may analyze your situation to potentially present any of the following legal defenses in your case: 

• Lack of intent: If you were giving a gift with no intention to influence someone’s decision, your attorney might be able to claim you had no intent to bribe. 
• False accusation: Your gestures or donations to an elected official were mistaken as bribery for favors. 
• Intoxication: You were intoxicated when you tried to offer a bribe and too impaired to form corrupt intent. 
• Duress: You were coerced by public officials or under duress for fear of harm to yourself or your family when you offered a bribe.
• Entrapment: A public official forced you to give a bribe through harassment, fraud, or threats. 

If you have been accused of bribery in Santa Barbara or the State of California, it is essential to hire a skilled bribery defense lawyer immediately to begin devising a strategic defense against the accusations.

Speak to an Experienced Santa Barbara Bribery Defense Lawyer Today

Criminal allegations for bribery are severe matters. Sometimes, an act that seems trivial, like donating money to an elected public official, may lead to bribery charges. However, simply because you were accused of this offense does not automatically mean you may be convicted. With the help of an accomplished criminal defense lawyer like those at the Aron Law Firm, you may present various legal defenses to protect your rights, future, and freedom. 

The Aron Law Firm is led by former Deputy District Attorney William M. Aron, who gained extensive trial experience prosecuting hundreds of criminal cases. To speak with a Santa Barbara bribery defense lawyer at the Aron Law Firm, schedule a consultation by completing our contact form or calling (805) 500-0867.