What should I do to protect my rights after being arrested for bribery?

If you’ve been arrested and charged with federal bribery offenses, you can best protect yourself by exercising your rights to remain silent and to legal representation. Because you have the right to remain silent, you should respectfully to decline to answer any questions put to you by law enforcement or to submit to an interrogation by investigators. You also have the right to consult with a lawyer before deciding whether to answer questions from investigators and to have your attorney present during any questioning. These rights will help protect you from inadvertently providing the prosecution with evidence it can use against you.

Are there any defenses to a federal bribery charge?

A bribery charge may have multiple potential defenses. One potential defense involves arguing that you never intended to receive any benefit from a government official and, therefore, the thing or service that you provided was a true “gift.” Another potential defense involves proving that the government official coerced the “gift” from you. In addition, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you had an expectation of receiving a specific benefit from the official rather than a vague hope that the official might act in a favorable way.

Federal Bribery Defense Attorneys

New Jersey Bribery Lawyers Defend the Rights and Freedom of Those Charged with Federal Bribery Offenses

Have you been charged with bribery of a federal official? A conviction on federal bribery charges carries serious penalties and the long-term consequences of a criminal record for your personal and professional life. Turn to the federal bribery defense attorneys of Agre & St. John to help protect your reputation and future. Our attorneys have seven decades of legal experience in the field of criminal law, having served as both prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys. Our background gives us unique insight into how criminal cases are prepared, allowing us to develop tailored case strategies to help our clients obtain favorable outcomes in their cases. Let us help you defend your rights and freedom if you are facing bribery charges.

Because bribery is a serious criminal offense under federal law, you need experienced legal counsel to help you pursue an effective defense strategy. Contact Agre & St. John for a free initial case evaluation to discuss your legal options with our New Jersey bribery lawyers.

When facing federal charges, trust Agre & St. John's experienced attorneys to mount a vigorous defense and protect your rights in complex federal criminal cases. Call 856-454-8674 or complete our online contact form for a confidential consultation.

What Are the Federal Bribery Laws?

The general federal bribery statute is contained in 18 U.S.C. s. 201. The statute defines the offense of bribery as giving, offering, or promising anything of value to a public official or someone selected to be a public official for the purpose of:

Influencing an official act
Influencing a public official to commit, aid, or collude in any fraud or opportunity for the commission of fraud upon the federal government
Inducing a public official to engage in any action or omission that violates the official’s lawful duty

The crime of bribery also includes any act by a public official to demand, receive, accept, or agree to accept anything of value in return for being influenced in the performance of any official act, to commit or aid any fraud, or to do or omit to do any act that violates the official’s duty. The federal bribery statute also outlaws giving, offering, or promising anything of value to any person with intent to influence their testimony under oath before a court, Congress, or any federal agency or commission, or accepting anything of value in exchange for having one’s testimony influenced.

What Kinds of Conduct Might Lead to Bribery Charges?

Examples of conduct that may give rise to a federal charge of bribery include:

Giving contributions to an elected official’s campaign in exchange for the official facilitating the award of public contracts
Offering payments to an elected official to purchase their vote
Offering something of value to an elected official in exchange for the official securing a government position for the contributor or their family member or friend
Offering money, property, or services to a judge to influence their ruling in a case
Offering government regulators a bribe to overlook violations
Giving a witness something of value in exchange for altering their testimony or falsely testifying under oath

Don't face federal charges alone – schedule a confidential consultation with Agre & St. John's skilled defense team to understand your options and build a robust defense strategy.

How Can the Federal Bribery Defense Attorney of Agre & St. John Help You Face Your Charges

Bribery charges are a serious federal crime that can impact your reputation and future. An arrest and conviction may mean prison time and fines, plus a criminal record that may make it harder to obtain housing, employment, or educational or financial opportunities in the future. You deserve experienced legal counsel who will fight to protect your rights and aggressively pursue a favorable resolution to your charges. Let the New Jersey bribery lawyers at Agre & St. John advocate for you by:

Independently investigating your bribery charges to obtain all available evidence in your case, rather than simply relying on evidence turned over by federal prosecutors
Evaluating your legal options and potential defenses in your case
Explaining your criminal charges to you, preparing you for what to expect in the federal criminal justice system, and answering your questions as you arise to give you the information and advice you need to make informed decision
Challenging the government’s case against you at every available opportunity, including moving to exclude improper evidence or witnesses or filing motions to reduce or dismiss your charges for insufficient evidence
Tirelessly pursuing the best possible outcome for you, whether that means getting your charges dismissed, negotiating with the prosecution for a fair plea agreement, or advocating your innocence at trial if you choose to contest your charges

Contact Our Firm Today for a Free Confidential Consultation to Discuss Your Options with Our New Jersey Bribery Lawyers

Don’t wait to obtain legal representation to protect your freedom, reputation, and future when you’ve been charged with bribery. Contact Agre & St. John for a free consultation to speak with our experienced federal bribery defense attorneys about your case and to learn more about how our firm will pursue a favorable resolution to your charges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bribery

If you’ve been arrested and charged with federal bribery offenses, you can best protect yourself by exercising your rights to remain silent and to legal representation. Because you have the right to remain silent, you should respectfully to decline to answer any questions put to you by law enforcement or to submit to an interrogation by investigators. You also have the right to consult with a lawyer before deciding whether to answer questions from investigators and to have your attorney present during any questioning. These rights will help protect you from inadvertently providing the prosecution with evidence it can use against you.
A bribery charge may have multiple potential defenses. One potential defense involves arguing that you never intended to receive any benefit from a government official and, therefore, the thing or service that you provided was a true “gift.” Another potential defense involves proving that the government official coerced the “gift” from you. In addition, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you had an expectation of receiving a specific benefit from the official rather than a vague hope that the official might act in a favorable way.

Client Reviews

★★★★★

"Robert Agre told me what to expect each step of my case. He earned my trust with his knowledge of criminal law, ability to explain the process, and open communication. I was most impressed by his quick response time to my many questions throughout the process. I am grateful that I found him and appreciate everything he did for me. "

"Mr. St. John has not only proficiently and tenaciously defended me each time it was necessary, he has gone above and beyond. With Mr. St. John, I never felt as though I was a number, a file, or merely a client. His professionalism, reputation, and rapport in the field are apparent without the need for words. I have and will continue to trust him without hesitation, despite the underlying fear brought about by criminal charges. Chris, THANK YOU for the compassion and kindness you possess, which parallel the dedication you have to individuals such as myself."

See all client reviews