Corruption charges usually involve a public official accepting something of value in exchange for a favor. It’s illegal to bribe or take a bribe in any capacity, and the person offering the bribe as well as the person receiving it can be charged with corruption and face serious prison sentences.
Federal corruption cases are prosecuted the most vigorously and with the highest resources of any type of case. The reason is that they cut to the heart of government function. Prosecutors have made it their mission to keep the government clean and pure of this kind of corrupt influence.
Even if you’re not a high-ranking public official, the fact that you are charged with corruption can ruin your life. A conviction will affect your future employment, your relationships and your reputation in the community.
A skilled DC criminal defense attorney can help you build a strong case and defend against the allegations. The first step is to collect all relevant evidence, communications, and documents. Your lawyer will investigate every detail-relationships, timelines, and context to uncover the best defense strategy. You should refrain from discussing any element of the case in public or with anyone outside your legal counsel, as your words can be used against you in court.
A successful corruption defense depends on proving lack of intent and no official capacity. Intent is hard to prove, but your attorney can look for circumstantial evidence that he or she did not have the intent to corruptly influence or be influenced. In addition, if you’re not a public official, prosecutors can have a harder time proving that you accepted a bribe because of your position.
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