Bribery is a white-collar crime that may carry state or federal charges, or even a combination of both. It is a serious charge that requires dedicated representation from an accomplished Oklahoma City bribery defense attorney if you are at risk in Oklahoma. You cannot take any chances with your future by representing yourself or hoping the charges won’t stick.
At Josh Lee & Associates, we are committed to upholding your rights and defending your future against unnecessary or burdensome incarceration and fines. By meeting with an Oklahoma City white-collar crimes attorney during a free consultation, you can discover how we will craft a unique defense strategy for your circumstances.
How Does the Law Define Bribery?
Under Okla. Stat. tit. 21. § 381, it is illegal to offer, give, or promise “any money, goods, right in action, property, thing of value or advantage, present or prospective, or any promise or undertaking” with the intention of unlawfully influencing the recipient. Recipients might include an individual, corporation, or public employee with the goal of gaining some personal benefit for the person offering the bribe.
Common examples of bribery include kickbacks, bid manipulation, nepotism, influencing a government official, and manipulating a physician’s decision to prescribe a certain drug.
For federal charges, 18 U.S.C. § 201 predominantly applies to bribery of witnesses and public officials. Again, the intent to gain some influence for a personal benefit is key to upholding these charges during a trial. The prosecuting attorney must present evidence that you knowingly intended to receive some positive gain by offering or promising something to another party.
Bribery Penalties Are Often Harsh
Under Okla. Stat. Tit. 21 § 381, bribery in Oklahoma is a Class D3 felony, according to the new Oklahoma Sentencing Modernization Act of 2024 (effective as of January 1, 2026). Convictions typically bring between 5 and 10 years in state prison and fines up to $5,000 for bribing public officials. If a public official receives a bribery conviction, they must generally give up their position and cannot hold public office in the future.
If you are convicted of federal bribery charges, you may receive up to 15 years in federal prison and fines equal to 3 times the amount of the bribe. Offering an illegal gratuity is not as severe, carrying only 2 years imprisonment, but bribing a bank officer under 18 U.S.C. § 215(a)(1) can lead to as much as 30 years incarceration and up to $1 million in fines.
Conspiracy Charges Commonly Accompany Federal Bribery Offenses
If you are facing federal bribery charges and worked with someone else, the government may also pursue conspiracy charges under 18 U.S.C. § 371. If there is evidence that at least 2 people agree to commit a criminal act, each conspirator could receive an additional 5 years to their sentence and up to $250,000 more in fines.
Defending Yourself Against Bribery Charges in Oklahoma
You must act immediately to secure experienced legal representation if you suspect you will be arrested or have been arrested for bribery. The government will work to build a case against you, and you must have an aggressive criminal defense attorney to prepare your white collar crime defense strategy, including:
- Filing motions to throw out illegally or improperly obtained evidence against you
- Reviewing officer actions to determine whether they violated your Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure
- Presenting evidence showing you did not intend to commit bribery
- Arguing that the government has insufficient evidence to prove the charge
- Showing you were operating under duress or coercion when you committed bribery
- Demonstrating that law enforcement officials engaged in entrapment and pressured you into committing illegal acts you otherwise would not have performed
At Josh Lee & Associates, we are dedicated to protecting your rights against unfounded charges. Schedule your free consultation when you contact us today, and let us fight for your freedom.
