A bribery charge in Philadelphia can have severe consequences that put your freedom, your career, and your reputation on the line. The government often begins investigating these cases long before any arrest, which means you’ll likely already be facing an uphill battle by the time authorities approach you. The sooner you retain a bribery defense attorney, the sooner they can begin protecting your rights and establishing your side of the story.
At The Zeiger Firm, we tenaciously defend clients against bribery charges throughout the Philadelphia area and across the state of Pennsylvania. Contact us today to get started with a free, fully confidential case review with a reputable bribery defense lawyer.
How Our Experienced Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Bribery allegations are no joke. If you’ve been accused of this kind of criminal offense, you need a bribery defense lawyer who can fight for you from day one, not someone who will pressure you toward a quick plea deal. That’s where Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer Brian Zeiger of The Zeiger Firm comes in.
Brian brings a trial lawyer’s mindset to every case he handles. He isn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with state and federal prosecutors, and he won’t hesitate to take your case all the way to a jury. He offers personalized legal strategies tailored to your specific situation and will zealously defend you from the moment of arrest through the resolution of your case.
Brian’s commitment to you as his client goes beyond the courtroom. He works to reduce bail or secure release on your own recognizance so you can be home with your family while your case is pending. If appropriate, he explores diversion programs and alternative resolutions that may allow you to avoid a conviction and a criminal record entirely. If the authorities violated your constitutional rights at any point, Brian can challenge those violations aggressively and pursue civil claims when warranted.
Here’s how one former client described their experience with The Zeiger Firm:
“Had an amazing experience with Mr. Zeiger. There was a matter another attorney had mishandled to the point the deadline to file was approaching. Brian Zeiger took the case, filed a day before the deadline, was honest about what he could do and I got a positive result.”
– Patrick C.
When you work with The Zeiger Firm, you get a legal team that gives you and your case the attention you deserve. Brian Zeige, can do the following for you:
- Protect your rights during any criminal investigations
- Challenge unlawful searches, seizures, and other civil rights violations
- Analyze the prosecution’s evidence for weaknesses
- Negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or dismissal
- Pursue diversion programs or alternative sentencing options
- Represent you at trial before a judge or jury
- File appeals to address legal errors or challenge unjust verdicts
If you are facing criminal charges for bribery, you need strong legal representation from an attorney with extensive experience handling these types of cases and other federal offenses. You need Brian Zeiger. Call today for a free and confidential consultation. He has unique insight into the criminal justice system and can investigate your case to determine the best defense strategy to employ.
What Is Bribery Under Pennsylvania Law?
Pennsylvania law defines bribery broadly. Specifically, a person commits bribery, which is a third-degree felony, if they offer, confer, agree to confer, solicit, accept, or agree to accept any benefit in exchange for the following:
- The exercise of discretion by a public servant, party official, or voter
- A favorable decision in a judicial, administrative, or legislative proceeding
- A violation of a known legal duty by a public servant or party official
It’s worth noting that it doesn’t matter whether the person that the accused sought to influence actually had the authority to act as intended.
Pennsylvania law also covers several related offenses, including the following crimes:
Commercial Bribery
Commercial bribery occurs when an employee, agent, or fiduciary solicits, accepts, or offers a benefit to influence their conduct on behalf of an employer or principal.
Threats and Improper Influence
Threatening harm to influence a public servant’s official decisions is a second-degree misdemeanor or, in more serious cases, a third-degree felony.
Witness Bribery
Offering or accepting a benefit to influence a witness or victim in a criminal matter is a third-degree felony.
Election Bribery
Under the Pennsylvania Election Code, offering anything of value to influence how someone votes is also a third-degree felony.
Potential Penalties for a Bribery Conviction
A bribery conviction in Pennsylvania carries serious consequences. For most bribery offenses, which are felonies of the third degree, a conviction can result in up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Commercial bribery and related offenses classified as second-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to two years’ imprisonmentand fines of up to $5,000.
Beyond the possibility of incarceration and fines, a bribery conviction can appear on your criminal record for life. Felony convictions that appear on employment background checks can disqualify candidates from jobs that require security clearances, professional licenses, or positions of trust, thereby jeopardizing your professional future. Election bribery convictions can result in permanent disqualification from holding office, and convicted voters can lose their right to vote for four years.
Professional license holders, such as attorneys, healthcare providers, and real estate agents, risk disciplinary proceedings or even permanent license revocation following a bribery conviction.
Why You Need a Philadelphia Bribery Defense Attorney
Bribery investigations often move forward under the radar. By the time law enforcement agencies make an arrest, they have often already spent months building their case through surveillance, informants, and subpoenas. That’s why retaining a bribery defense lawyer in Philadelphia early on, ideally before the state files charges, can make a huge difference in your case.
Brian Zeiger and the entire team at The Zeiger Firm can protect your rights at every stage of the process, from the initial investigation through trial. Our law firm works to identify constitutional violations, suppress improperly obtained evidence, and hold law enforcement accountable when they overstep their authority. If negotiations with prosecutors offer a viable path to a reduced charge or dismissal, we pursue them strategically. If going to trial is the right move, we’ll be ready to fight for you in the courtroom.
A strong defense requires a thorough understanding of both the law and the facts. Our team can dig into the details of your case and build a solid defense strategy designed to challenge the prosecution’s arguments and achieve the most favorable outcome possible.
Contact a Philadelphia Bribery Defense Attorney Today
A bribery charge is a serious matter, but it doesn’t have to define your future. At The Zeiger Firm, we’re ready to put our experience and determination to work for you. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation and speak directly with a bribery defense attorney in Philadelphia who is ready to fight for your rights.
