Milwaukee Bribery Defense Attorneys
Bribery cases can be complicated and filled with nuance. The investigations into these acts can be long and complex, as well. There can be thousands of details that go into prosecuting a bribery case, and the consequences of being convicted can be severe.
While every bribery case is unique and has its own set of individual circumstances, the criminal act of bribery boils down to offering someone something valuable in exchange for a certain favor or action. Authorities and prosecutors take these types of crimes very seriously — your defense team needs to, as well.
If you or a loved one are facing bribery charges you need a lawyer who can aggressively protect your legal and constitutional rights. You also need an attorney who is sensitive to protecting your professional or business interests, as well as your reputation.
That’s why you need to contact the experienced Milwaukee defense attorneys at Hart Powell, S.C.. We understand how to deal with sensitive cases such as these. You need to start building a defense strategy now. Call us at (414) 271-9595 so that we can get to work for you.
What is Bribery?
Bribery is defined as a crime that occurs when one party gives or takes money or something of value in order to influence another party. This could be a public official, business employee, or even a business competitor. Bribery is meant to influence people. It is meant to change someone’s mind, position, or actions in order to create a more favorable outcome for the person who has offered the bribe.
Types of Bribery
There are several different types of bribery offenses that can carry criminal penalties. Bribery of public officials can be one of the more common acts of bribery. This type of bribery can consist of a person offering a public official something valuable in return for a favor or change in position about an issue. The amount of influence a person has over the public can stiffen the penalties for the one accused of bribery in these types of situations.
Examples of this form of bribery could be making monetary payments to an official’s re-election campaign in order to gain business contracts for oneself, giving a public inspector money to ignore violations, offering a judge money for ruling a certain way, or offering money to change election ballots or votes. There are multiple ways in which you could be in criminal trouble for bribing a public official.
Another one of the more common types of bribery is commercial bribery. This is where a bribe is offered to a private businessperson or employee in order to gain something of value. This could be to ensure vendor bids or contracts, or even to gain information on a competitor in the market.
Other types of bribery include:
- Bribery of Court Witnesses
- Bribery of Physicians
- Bribery of Foreign Officials
- Bribery of a Bank Official
- Offering Kickbacks
- Conspiracy to Commit Bribery
There are a number of other situations that could constitute a criminal bribery charge. The key to a bribery case is being able to prove intent. The prosecutor must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant meant to influence something through the gift or payment. That can be difficult for prosecutors without the right evidence.
If you’ve been accused of bribery, it is time to get an aggressive and experienced attorney on your side who knows how to fight these types of charges and build a strategic defense for you.
Punishment for Bribery
Depending on the nature of the bribe there can be severe criminal penalties, both for offering and receiving a bribe. Bribery is typically a felony offense and can be punishable with a state prison term of one year or more. In some instances of bribery, prison terms can reach up to 30 years. In addition to prison terms, a standard fine for bribery can be up to three times the value of the bribe in question.
These aren’t the only penalties that you may face if you are convicted in a bribery case. Public officials or business employees who accept bribes can be forced from office or their job. They may also be ineligible to work for other employers or certain sectors.
A bribery conviction can spell disaster for you professionally and financially. It is important to retain experienced legal counsel immediately in order to start building a solid defense strategy. An attorney who knows how to navigate these types of cases can give you an idea of what to expect and what the best possible outcomes are for your situation.
In some situations, it may be possible for an attorney to have the charges against you decreased in severity or perhaps dismissed altogether. The sooner you act, the better. Prosecutors are already hard at work trying to ensure a conviction — you need a defense attorney who can fight back for you.
How Can a Milwaukee Bribery Lawyer Help Me?
Bribery is a serious charge and it is extremely important that you get an aggressive attorney on your side who has the experience to handle a case of this nature. The Milwaukee RICO defense attorneys of Hart Powell, S.C. have extensive experience handling these types of cases, so call us right away for help.
We understand what it takes to build a strong defense strategy for you. We are tenacious and want to protect your rights with strategic representation. We are well versed in state and federal bribery laws so that we can offer you the legal counsel you need.
If you or a loved one has been accused of bribery, time is of the essence. You need immediate intervention on your behalf. Prosecutors won’t wait. They are trying to build a case against you right now, and you need to be able to fight back. Contact us today by calling (414) 271-9595 to discuss your legal options and get someone on your side.