What Acts Will Lead To Bribery Charges In Virginia?
Various crimes in Virginia carry with them a certain amount of public negativity and scorn even when they’re unproven allegations. These acts are generally of the violent or larcenous variety. Other crimes, however, are also serious and aren’t treated as such because of the idea that there wasn’t anyone physically injured.
A white collar crime will fall into the category of being potentially serious and often underestimated as to its potential long-term problems. One such crime is bribery. The state laws regarding bribery are clear as to how this will be treated if there is an investigation and subsequent arrest. There will be a charge of bribery if a person makes a financial, or offer of some other benefit, to receive influential treatment on a decision, recommendation, opinion or other act from a public servant or official of a party when the individual receiving the bribe advances from it.
In the event that a person takes the bribe for financial benefit or for some other reason and that person is in a position of power as an administrator, in a judicial position or some other circumstance to help the agenda of the person offering the bribe, the person will also be charged. If there is a solicitation of a bribe for any of the above-listed reasons and that bribe is given leading to a decision made by a person in a position of power with opinion, recommendation, judgment on the part of a party official or public servant, there will be a charge of bribery.
While the idea of quid pro quo is often referenced as a way in which people exchange favors, there are circumstances in which it is illegal and will result in allegations and charges of bribery. When confronted with an investigation for bribery and there is a belief that the act was perfectly legal, if there was an accusation that a person offered or accepted a bribe, or if someone made a mistake and got involved in a situation that he or she shouldn’t have, it’s key to have legal help to provide a defense against the charges and avoid the long-term personal and professional implications of a conviction.
Source: leg1.state.va.us, “18.2-447. When person guilty of bribery,” accessed on Mar. 16, 2015
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