Howard County Bribery Lawyer
Charges alleging bribery can be confusing and complex. Not only is it illegal to bribe another person, but it is also illegal to accept a bribe as described under state laws. As a result, an allegation of bribery can involve supposed violations of many aspects of Maryland laws.
A Howard County bribery lawyer could help you no matter the specific circumstances following your arrest. A criminal defense lawyer could work to conduct their own investigations into the incident, to form a defense intended to defeat the prosecutor’s case in court, and to work towards your goals every step of the way.
Illegal Actions Under Bribery Laws
State law prohibits many bribery actions. The most prominent is bribery of a public official under Md. Code, Criminal Law §9-201. This statute states that it is illegal for any person to bribe or attempt to bribe a public employee to influence the official performance of that employee. A public employee includes:
- Executive officers of the State
- Judges
- Members of the general assembly
- Members of a political subdivision
- Members of a police force
Similarly, it is illegal for these public employees to accept a bribe with the understanding that the bribe will influence their actions. In this way, providing and accepting a bribe are just as serious. A conviction is a misdemeanor that carries a mandatory jail sentence of at least two years, a fine of at least $1,000, or both.
Other examples of bribery-related charges include:
- Bribery of jurors under Code, Criminal Law §9-202
- Bribery of voters under Code, Criminal Law §9-203
Each allegation of bribery requires the prosecutor to prove that not only did a payment take place but also that a defendant intended to influence the actions of the alleged target. A criminal lawyer could help to develop a defense designed to defeat a prosecutor’s case.
Defending Against Allegations of Bribery
Allegations involving bribery can be very complex. The rules that govern the proper providing of gifts in the form of lobbying are confusing and a misunderstanding of these laws may bring bribery charges. A Howard County bribery lawyer could help to analyze a prosecutor’s case to protect clients’ futures.
The most important thing to remember about any bribery case is that a prosecutor needs to prove that a defendant intended to influence another party with the exchange of property. This means that a prosecutor must typically discover a paper trail or sworn statements from witnesses that may indicate an intent to influence the alleged target. Many defenses center around the idea that a gift was exactly that: a gift with no expected reciprocity.
Other cases can revolve around the idea of what constitutes a bribe. The statute prohibits the receiving of a bribe, fee, reward, or testimonial in exchange for an act. A defendant who provides a gift for an alleged target’s birthday may be able to argue that the gift was in no way related to an alleged bribe. A Howard County bribery lawyer could help to craft a defense that fits the specific facts of every client’s case.
How a Howard County Bribery Attorney Can Help
The laws concerning illegal bribery in Howard County are complex. It is illegal to provide a bribe, fee, reward, or testimonial to a public employee, juror, voter, or athlete for any act. However, prosecutors must prove that not only did this giving of a bribe take place but also that the defendant intended to influence the alleged target. Just as it is illegal to provide a bribe, it is also illegal to accept one.
A Howard County bribery lawyer could help you no matter the exact circumstances behind the arrest. They can work to conduct their own investigation into the incident, to examine the legality of any police work, and to put a defense strategy into effect that could serve to defeat the prosecutor’s case. Contact an attorney today to get started towards protecting your future.