On the off-chance you were thinking about offering a police officer some quick cash in exchange for not giving you that very expensive speeding ticket, think again. Bribery or offering a bribe in the state of Utah is a third-degree felony when the value of the benefit asked for, solicited, accepted or conferred is less than $1000. It gets worse if the value of the benefit is $1000 or more; you could be charged with a second-degree felony. Third-degree felonies carry a potential penalty of up to five years in prison, while second-degree felonies can send you to prison for anywhere from 1 to 15 years.
Photo: Andrew Magill
Bribing or attempting to bribe an officer during a traffic stop isn’t the only time that bribing can get you into trouble. The law specifically states that a person is guilty of bribing or offering a bribe if that person promises, offers or agrees to give or gives, directly or indirectly, any benefit to another person with the purpose or intent to influence a public servant, party official or voter’s:
- Action,
- Decision,
- Opinion,
- Recommendation,
- Judgment,
- Vote,
- Nomination or
- Exercise of discretion.
You should also note that it is not a defense if the person bribed doesn’t act in the desired way, if the person to be influenced wasn’t qualified to act in the desired way or if the person bribed is a public servant and ceases to be a public servant.
If you’ve been charged with bribery or attempting bribery, you need to get legal representation today to find out what can be done to help your situation. Call a practiced Utah criminal defense attorney right away.
