Criminal Defense Lawyers

New York Bribery Frequently Asked Questions

Two types of crimes fall under the bribery umbrella: receiving a bribe and offering a bribe. For offering a bribe to have taken place, a public servant must have been given or offered money or another benefit as an exchange for an influence in an action or multiple actions that are related to the public servant’s particular position. For receiving a bribe to have taken place, the public servant must have accepted or agreed to accept some kind of benefit or money with the full knowledge that they will have their actions influenced.

Bribery charges come in three degrees, as do bribe receiving charges. The specific charges leveled will vary depending upon the benefit’s value and the kind of action that the bribe was meant to influence.

Do bribes always involve money?

Bribes don’t have to involve cash or money. Any offered benefit can count as a bribe. Sometimes words can be misinterpreted as the offering of a bribe even if this was not your intention. If you stand accused of bribery, you’ll need experienced New York legal representation. Spodek Law Group is a group of lawyers with extensive criminal defense experience.

What is third degree bribery?

Third degree bribery is the least serious of the bribery crimes, but regardless, it is a felony. If a benefit is offered to any kind of public servant for the express purpose of influencing the decisions of that public servant, influencing their vote, or influencing the way they perform their responsibilities, you’ll have a third degree bribery charge leveled against you. This is a class D felony. Convictions of this crime carry potential sentences of up to seven years in prison.

What is second degree bribery?

Second degree bribery has the same actions and definitions as third degree bribery, but the value of the benefit or money involved must be greater than ten thousand dollars. This crime is a class C felony with potential sentencing of up to fifteen years in prison.

What is first degree bribery?

First degree bribery refers to bribes that are offered regarding a public servant’s involvement in the incarceration, prosecution, or investigation of a person who has been accused of or convicted of committing a class A felony. First degree bribery is a class B felony and carries potential sentencing of twenty-five years.

What is third degree bribe receiving?

This crime is similar to third degree bribery. The defendant, however, is the person who received the bribe rather than the person who offered it. This is a class D felony and has a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

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Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

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2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

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2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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What is second degree bribe receiving?

Again, this mirrors second degree bribery. A bribe receiving charge is moved up to second degree bribe receiving when the person accepted a bribe that was worth more than $10,000. This is a class C felony with a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison.

What is first degree bribe receiving?

First degree bribe receiving refers to a public servant who accepts a bribe to influence the conviction, prosecution, or incarceration of a person who has been accused of a class A felony. This is a class B felony which carries a potential prison sentence of twenty-five years.