Bribery is a type of white-collar crime that can come with serious consequences. These allegations often involve public officials but may also include commercial transactions in private businesses. If you face this charge, you are looking at a potential felony conviction. As such, it is critical that you work with a relentless defense attorney at Grand Canyon Law Group to ensure your rights are fully protected.
Our Phoenix bribery lawyers have the dedication and knowledge necessary to effectively protect your way of life. Let our legal team review your case and put together a customized defense strategy.
There are various forms of bribery charges, each of which could lead to serious penalties.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2602 prohibits a public servant, employee, or party officer to accept, agree to accept, solicit, or agree to solicit any benefit with corrupt intent. This includes accepting benefits to influence a vote, be hired, get permits through, or any other favor.
Bribing a public official is a Class Four felony, which may result in a prison sentence of between one and 3.75 years for a first offense.
A similar allegation involves a public official offering or accepting some incentive in exchange for an appointment to public office. If a person is accused of bribing an official for a job, or the public official is accused of asking for a bribe, they may be charged with a Class Six felony. This could result in a prison sentence of between .33 and two years for a first offense.
Commercial bribery is when someone offers a benefit to an employee to improperly influence their actions on the job. Commercial bribery is penalized based on the value of the bribe:
These penalty ranges assume that this is a first felony conviction. Repeat offenses accompany more severe penalties, making it even more important to work with a skilled bribery attorney in the area.
All the penalties listed above may be more serious if the individual has a prior criminal history. To effectively defend their bribery case and protect their freedom, the defendant should consult a persistent lawyer at our Phoenix office. When the stakes are this high, it is crucial to work with someone who understands the law and knows how to fight back against the prosecution.
A well-formed defense could help you mitigate or avoid the severe penalties associated with bribery charges. Not only could you face jail time and high fines, but a conviction could also lead to major complications with your employment, reputation, and way of life.
The Phoenix bribery lawyers at Grand Canyon Law Group are ready to tirelessly pursue a favorable result in your case. Give us a call today and learn how we can assist you.