Houston Federal Bribery Defense Lawyer

Houston Federal Bribery Defense Attorney

If you are charged with any criminal offense, it is crucial to understand your constitutional rights and the importance of finding defense counsel you can trust as soon as possible. The stakes are higher in federal criminal court, and it is essential to find an attorney who has proven experience representing clients in cases like yours. If you are charged with bribery at the federal level, you need to connect with a skilled Houston federal bribery defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Representing Defendants in Federal Bribery Cases in Houston, TX

Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., has extensive experience representing clients charged with state and federal crimes. While the outcome of any criminal case has the potential to impact a defendant’s life in various ways, penalties for conviction in federal criminal court are generally more serious than what one might expect from the state criminal court. Additionally, federal criminal cases are built by federal law enforcement agencies. If you’re facing charges, consulting a federal fraud defense attorney can provide crucial guidance in navigating the complexities of federal law and defending your rights.

Our team provides responsive and aggressive criminal defense counsel for clients charged with federal criminal offenses. We understand that your situation may feel desperate, and you may not realize the full scope of the defensive options available to you at first. With our assistance, you can approach your case with greater confidence and have a much clearer understanding of how you can defend against the case that has been built against you.

Understanding Federal Bribery Charges

The term “bribery” can apply to an exchange between two parties, one of which is typically a person of influence, such as a public official. The party offering the bribe suggests an amount of payment in exchange for the other party’s agreement to specific terms. For example, someone might attempt to bribe a federal agent who is investigating a criminal matter, offering them money to look the other way.

Bribery cases often involve public corruption, and it is possible for such a case to involve not only criminal charges against a party who offered a bribe but also against the party who accepted the bribe. Public corruption can be a federal charge, and cases involving bribery often carry severe penalties due to the involvement of government officials and the breach of public trust. Federal law enforcement agencies who build bribery cases must gather evidence that shows the party offering the bribe knew what they were doing was wrong and that there were clear terms of exchange between them and the other party.

Building Your Defense

If you are arrested for any crime, it is crucial that you exercise your right to remain silent while in custody. Do not answer any questions from arresting officers or sign any statements. Politely comply with their instructions until you have legal counsel on your side. Reach out to an experienced Houston federal bribery defense lawyer as soon as possible so they can begin building your defense.

Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., has the professional resources and proven experience you want on your side for a complex federal criminal case. Our team can carefully review the details of the charges that have been filed against you and do everything we can to help you avoid conviction. You have a limited time to build your defense, so it is important that you contact our team immediately after your arrest. As experienced federal crimes trial and appellate lawyers, we can provide expert representation throughout your trial and, if necessary, handle appeals to challenge any unjust convictions.

FAQs

What Are the Penalties for Federal Bribery?

The penalties for federal bribery vary from case to case. The defendant is likely to face prison time as well as a fine, the amount of which is typically determined by the amount of the attempted bribe in question. It is also likely that the defendant might never be able to hold any type of public office, and they may also lose any professional licenses they previously held. If they are charged with additional crimes, they face much harsher penalties in Houston or any other jurisdiction.

How Hard Is It to Prove Bribery?

Proving bribery can be difficult in some cases because the prosecutor must establish that there was a clear “quid pro quo” exchange involved. This means their evidence must show that the defendant offered a specific type and amount of compensation in exchange for a specific service or favor. For example, a prosecutor may need to prove that a defendant offered a specific amount of money to a public official in exchange for their support of a particular policy decision.

What Are Possible Defenses to Federal Bribery Charges?

Possible defenses to federal bribery charges may include lack of intent, lack of knowledge, entrapment, or coercion. The defendant may attempt to argue that they did not realize what they were doing was wrong or that they had no intention of soliciting a specific favor in exchange for the funds they offered. They may also need to prove that they were coerced by law enforcement into doing something they would not normally have done or they were coerced by a third party.

What Is Plea Bargaining in a Federal Criminal Case?

In a federal criminal case, plea bargaining may come into play if the prosecutor is certain they have the evidence needed to secure a conviction and they wish to avoid a lengthy trial. The prosecutor may offer leniency in sentencing or even reduce or drop charges in exchange for the defendant entering an immediate guilty plea. Plea bargains are not offered to every defendant, however, and your attorney can advise you if this comes up in your bribery case.

Contact Our Lawyer Team to Get Help with Your Federal Bribery Defense Case

You need to hire a Houston federal bribery defense lawyer because these cases are inherently complex, and if you are convicted of federal bribery, you could face many years in prison along with very heavy fines. The right attorney can question the credibility of the prosecutor’s evidence, uncover exculpatory evidence that might prove your innocence, or, at the very least, help you secure a much lighter sentence than you could otherwise expect.

Hochglaube & DeBorde, P.C., has successfully defended many clients in Houston from all types of federal criminal charges. When you choose our firm to defend you, we can provide comprehensive legal support for all phases of your proceedings and do everything we can to help you reach a positive conclusion to your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Houston federal bribery defense lawyer and learn how we can help.