CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Bribery

Bribery: What You Need to Know in Los Angeles

Bribery is an unscrupulous practice that can cause severe legal consequences. It refers to the act of giving or receiving anything of value as a bribe to adversely impact an official matter. In Los Angeles, bribery is a criminal act that is taken very seriously. Regardless of whether you gave or accepted the bribe, both parties are liable for a criminal charge. In this article, we will provide you with informative details about bribery in Los Angeles including the statutes that deal with it, the elements of bribery charges, penalties for the crime, as well as possible defenses for the charges.

Statutes that deal with bribery in Los Angeles

Los Angeles takes bribery seriously because of the danger inherent in a society that allows it to happen. Several penal code sections, which govern various types of bribes or bribery, are carefully composed to lessen the occurrence of this crime. Some of these statutes and what they deal with include:

Penal Code 641.3(a):

Bribery, defined
This statute discusses the concept of bribery as illegal corruption. It includes giving or taking a bribe to alter an official matter of an individual or entity. This section clearly outlines that any Los Angeles resident who performs such actions could face serious consequences.

Penal Code 68:

Bribery involving public officers
This penal code section indicates that bribing any public official or officer like judges, jurors, police officers, district attorneys, state senators, or witnesses with money or gifts for any official matter is illegal.

Penal Code 641.4:

Commercial bribery
Penal Code 641.4 prohibits commercial bribery. This statute lays emphasis on financial or property corruption.

Penal Code 92:

Bribery of executive and ministerial officers
This penal code section ensures that no ministerial or executive officer is influenced by bribery.

Penal Code 92.5:

Bribery involving legislative officers
This statute upholds the prohibition against bribing any legislative officer to influence a law-making process.

Penal Code 641:

Bribery involving judicial officers and jurors
This provision relates to bribing of judicial officers, candidates for judicial offices, jurors, or witnesses.

Elements of bribery charges in Los Angeles

The prosecutor bears the burden of proof in any bribe-related case. They will have to show that a defendant offered a bribe or received one. Below are the requirements that the prosecutor must prove in bribery cases:

1. The defendant gave or offered a public official, or
2. A public official received, agreed to receive, or asked for an item of value to unlawfully influence an official act.

The purpose of the bribe is to affect a vote, receive a contract, get a bill passed, or evade a fine.

Public officials include judges, jurors, police chiefs and officers, district attorneys, deputy city coroners, state senators or witnesses in Los Angeles.

Penalties for the Criminal Offense of Bribery

California law specifies that bribery is a felony. Therefore, anyone found guilty of bribery will face severe penalties. These can include specific fines, prison stays in a state prison, county jail time, and office forfeiture.

If the bribe in question is equal to or less than $1000, a convicted individual will be jailed for one year. However, if the bribe consists of more than $1000, the sentence can extend to a maximum of three years.

If a convicted person did not receive a bribe, they will pay between $2000 and $10000, depending on the specifics of the case. The fines are more significant if the convicted individual received the bribe. Public officials who are convicted of bribery in any form risk losing their employment.

The bitterness associated with having bribery displayed on your record is immense. It can even translate to your future employability or business ventures.

Defenses Against Bribery Charges

An accused person has several legal options against allegations of bribery. For instance, a Los Angeles bribery defense attorney can protect your rights, career, reputation, and name. It would help if you had representation from a reliable lawyer, especially if you have been wrongly charged or indicted under false pretenses.

For example, Entrapment or coercion by law enforcement may constitute defenses against bribery charges. However, your attorney can determine what defense strategy suits your case.

Conclusion

Bribery is an act of criminal corruption that is unacceptable in society. It involves giving or taking any valuable benefits in exchange for any unfair or unsanctioned influence over an official matter. In Los Angeles, several penal code sections prohibit various types of bribery, which constitute serious offenses. The Los Angeles prosecutor needs to meet specific requirements to prove the elements of the crime. Consequences of a conviction can be harsh, including imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of office. Therefore, if you have been charged with bribery, retaining a trusted and expert Los Angeles bribery defense attorney should be your top priority.