Bribery charges can be severe and illegal at federal and state levels. Navigating the complexities of bribery charges can be confusing. It is essential to have legal representation that fully comprehends the nuances of bribery charges.

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When charged with bribery in Arizona, you need to contact an attorney who can give sound legal advice. When hiring our firm, you will have an attorney with extensive knowledge and experience in bribery and corruption cases. Get in touch to arrange a free consultation and discuss how we can work together to achieve the most favorable outcome in your case

In Arizona, bribery is considered a crime when attempting to sway a public official's decision. This encompasses individuals holding any office or position within a political party, whether through an election, appointment, or other means. This type of criminal activity is included in public corruption.

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In Arizona, when an individual provides money or any other kind of benefit to another person with the expectation of receiving a favor, it's considered a bribe. A bribe is different from a gift because, in a bribe, the person giving the gift wants something in return.

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Penalties for Bribery in Arizona‍

Under Arizona law, violating bribery (ARS 13-2602) is considered a Class 4 felony, which carries a potential punishment of the following possible sentences:

• A state prison sentence of up to three years and nine months or 
• A fine of up to $150,000. 
• If the offense is deemed a "dangerous offense," the penalty can be increased to a maximum prison term of eight years.

Bribing Public Officials and Political Party Members: 

Illegally bribing a public official or political party member means trying to make them do something you want by giving them something. This also includes when a public official or political party member asks for or agrees to accept something in exchange for doing something they shouldn't. It doesn't matter if the person you are trying to bribe can't do what you want them to; they still can't accept a bribe. 

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Bribery is often directed toward public servants and officials because of their power and authority. Law enforcement officers, such as police officers, are particularly susceptible to corruption. For example, someone may attempt to bribe a police officer to overlook a traffic violation by offering money.

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Other public officials may also face bribery charges if someone seeks to influence their actions. For instance, a person may attempt to bribe an Arizona state legislator for their vote on a piece of legislation. A construction company might try to bribe a commission member to overlook environmental tests and grant them a waiver to build. 

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Judges and jury members are often targeted by individuals who want to bribe them for a favorable outcome in a case. This type of bribery undermines the integrity of the legal system and the public trust in it. It can result in severe penalties for the person offering the bribe and for the judge or jury member who accepts it.

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Commercial Bribery: 

Bribery is not limited to the political sphere; it also takes place in the business world. Individuals can be charged with commercial bribery for offering money or assets to an employee to sway their actions. This can include offering bribes for workplace advancements or seeking kickbacks for specific actions. 

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A recent example was in 2017 when the FBI investigated illegal NCAA basketball recruiting. The FBI led a multi-year investigation into college basketball coaches bribing athletes or their families for commitment to a college school. This resulted in the detainment of 10 men, with three being found guilty and seven pleading guilty. Six assistant coaches who prosecutors accused of taking bribes to direct players to specific financial advisers and managers were either fired or chose to resign.