Bribery is a serious criminal charge. If you are facing charges of abuse of public records you should consult with a Denver criminal defense attorney immediately.

A person can be charged with bribery (CRS 18-8-302) if they offer a pecuniary benefit to a public servant with the intent to influence the public servant in their official capacity. Stated another way, bribery can be charged when a person offers a politician a financial benefit in exchange for political favors. A pecuniary benefit can be considered economic gain including money, property, and commercial interests.

Bribery can also be charged against the public servant or politician who solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept any pecuniary benefit with the understanding that the public servant’s vote, opinion, judgment, or other action will be influenced. Stated another way, it is also bribery for a politician to accept economic gain in exchange for political favor or to use their official power in exchange for money or economic gain.
A public servant is any officer or employee or government. They can be elected, designed, or appointed. Common examples include police officers, prosecutors, state senators, mayors, prosecutors, health officers, code enforcement officers, and any other federal, state, county, or city officials.

Contact a Colorado criminal defense lawyer representing clients in Boulder, CO today to schedule your initial consultation.

Compensation for Past Official Behavior (CRS 18-8-303).

Compensation for past official behavior is very similar to bribery, the difference is that the statute makes it also illegal to accept compensation for their official action after the fact. Compensation for Past Official Behavior is a class 6 felony with possible penalties including 12 to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Soliciting Unlawful Compensation (18-8-304)

Also similar to bribery, except the public servant knows before soliciting compensation they were likely to do the act regardless. Soliciting Unlawful compensation is a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by 3 to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Trading in Public Office (CRS 18-8-305)

Trading in public office occurs when a person offers a pecuniary benefit to a public servant with the agreement that the public servant will nominate or appoint a particular person. Both the person offering the benefit and the person making the appointment can be held liable as soliciting or accepting a pecuniary benefit with the agreement to nominate a candidate or appoint a specific person is also a criminal offense. Trading in Public Office is a class 1 misdemeanor with possible penalties of 6 to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

If you would like to schedule an initial consultation, contact a Colorado criminal defense attorney, we represent clients in Boulder, Colorado, and the surrounding area. The Savela Law Firm, P.C. Give us a call at (720) 821-1001 or complete our inquiry form.

Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (CRS 18-8-306)

The attempt to influence a public servant whether through decent, economic reprisal, or threat of violence with the intent to affect the public servant’s decision is a class 4 felony. The penalties include 2 to 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

If you have been charged with Bribery or Corrupt Influences an experienced Denver criminal defense lawyer is essential. Get in touch with experienced Denver bribery & corrupt influences defense attorney Jason Savela by calling (720) 821-1001.