Columbus Bribery Defense Lawyer
Aggressive Defense for Bribery Charges in Ohio
Being accused of bribery is a very serious matter in the state of Ohio. If you are convicted, you could face significant fines and even time in prison. In addition, a bribery conviction can ruin your reputation and make it challenging to find employment or housing. At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, our Columbus bribery lawyers understand the laws and procedures involved in these cases, and we know what it takes to build a strong defense.
Call The Meranda Law Firm LTD today at (614) 707-4239 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our bribery lawyer in Columbus.
What is Bribery?
Bribery is a serious criminal offense in Ohio and involves:
- The act of offering.
- Giving, receiving.
- Soliciting something of value with the intent to influence an official's action, decision, or opinion.
The key elements of bribery typically include:
- An Exchange of Value: To establish bribery, there must be something of value offered or received. This could be money, gifts, services, or other items.
- Intent: The individual involved must have the intent to influence an official's action, decision, or opinion in an unlawful manner.
- An Official Act: The bribery offense usually involves an official, such as a public servant, juror, or witness.
What are the Penalties for Bribery in Ohio?
The penalties for bribery in Ohio can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the severity of the offense. In any case, a conviction for bribery can have severe consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and damage to your reputation. In general, bribery is considered a third-degree felony that is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
Defenses Against Bribery Charges
Some common defenses against bribery charges may include:
- Lack of Intent: One of the key aspects of bribery is intent. If it can be demonstrated that you did not have the requisite intent to influence an official's actions unlawfully, this can be a strong defense.
- Lack of Evidence: In many cases, the prosecution must provide substantial evidence to secure a conviction. We can challenge the evidence presented and seek to have it suppressed or discredited.
- Entrapment: If you were coerced or manipulated into committing a bribery offense, an entrapment defense may be viable.
- Constitutional Violations: If your rights had been violated during the investigation or arrest, it can be grounds for dismissal of charges.
- Challenging Witness Credibility: The credibility of witnesses can be a crucial factor in a bribery case. We can thoroughly examine witness statements and testimonies to challenge their accuracy.
Contact Our Bribery Lawyer in Columbus Today
At the Meranda Law Firm LTD, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and delivering aggressive advocacy on your behalf. Our Columbus bribery attorneys understand the gravity of your situation and are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome. Don't face bribery charges alone; contact us today for the skilled legal guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
Contact The Meranda Law Firm LTD today to get started with our Columbus bribery attorney.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
Reviews & Testimonials
At The Meranda Law Firm LTD, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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A criminal case can be very stressful. The Meranda Law Firm can help you with this process. Zack is there to make sure that you get the best personal one on one help you can get. So you don't get pushed around in the system. Takes all the worry out of your case. Very down to earth guy. Easy to talk too. Without Zack I don't know where I would be right now. Thanks Zack; can't tell you how much I appreciate the help you gave me. If you are looking for a lawyer that can take the stress out of your case Zack is your guy- Jeff w
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Zach is incredibly professional and will work as hard as he can for you, no matter how big or small your case is. He shows genuine concern and interest in his client and the situation. He is straight forward and honest. Zach was the third attorney on my case and the only one that actually took the time to become familiar with my case. He was not intimidated as my previous attorneys were and his competency resulted in my case ending in a very satisfying outcome.- Rylan Burrie
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Professional, upfront, attentive, most of all comforting in the fact that the communication was clear. Never a doubt by always respectful. Admired the standard in which the company, more so Zach, displayed. I was so impressed and would if needed use his services again.- Anonymous
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Mr. Meranda does his research! He is very professional and promotes himself and law firm in a great manner. He digs to find the facts and will work hard for you. He makes sure you understand what you are facing and will try to come to the best outcome possible. He is easy to talk to and he tells you “like it is.” He is an upfront, affordable lawyer. I highly recommend The Meranda Law Firm to anyone who is seeking help.- Anonymous
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We are very appreciative of the efforts put forth by Zach Meranda. The outcome was positive and he made us feel secure in an out of control situation. Felt glad to have him defending us and having his common sense approach to our case. We would recommend his services to anyone in need.- Anonymous
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Zach is a great attorney. He has represented me twice and both times I got positive results. If you need an attorney call The Meranda Law Firm, he's the best.- Frances Benson
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I would give The Meranda Law Firm a 10 out of 10 for the pre-case advice, the genuine concern about his client, and the time and effort that was put into the case from beginning to the end. If there is anytime in the future I would need an attorney Zach has earned my business. Thank you Mr. Meranda for all that you covered and all that you helped me with.- Andrew
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Zach did a great job representing me. He worked hard to take care of me in my case. If I ever need a lawyer again, I'll definitely give him a call first.- Rod
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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Should I be worried if I am innocent?The short answer to this question is yes. Our legal system, though endowed with powerful rights and time-tested procedures, is far from perfect. Proclaiming yourself innocent is far from a legal defense, and you will need the assistance of an experienced attorney to gather information and refute evidence. It is a sad fact that innocent people are sometimes convicted of crimes they did not commit. If you have been arrested, a team member from The Meranda Law Firm LTD, serving both Columbus and Newark, can go to immediate work on constructing a strong defense and on seeking to have unfounded charges dropped.
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What important legal rights am I entitled to?If you find yourself crossways with the law, you have important rights that must be protected. First, you have the right to be informed of your rights by police should you be arrested. You have the right to remain silent, which can help you avoid self-incrimination. You also have the right to avoid subjection to an unreasonable search and seizure. Perhaps most importantly is your right to an attorney, and should you face criminal investigation or arrest, you should be in immediate contact with a Columbus criminal defense attorney for knowledgeable and skilled legal counsel.
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Why should I hire a criminal defense attorney?When you are facing a criminal charge, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, your future stands at serious risk. Not only do you face the prospect of jail time, fines, and probation, but if you are convicted you will also carry with you a permanent criminal record that can make such things as obtaining employment, educational opportunities and housing problematic. A lawyer can make sure that your legal rights are well-protected and that a strong defense is mounted on your behalf. Going it alone in the criminal justice system can put you in peril of many unwanted consequences.
