A 21-year-old was caught on tape attempting to bribe a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officer in an attempt to try and avoid aspeeding ticket in Florida, CBS News reports. The woman was pulled over by the FHP trooper for speeding after she left Pulse nightclub in downtown Orlando. According to the trooper, the woman was going 12 miles over the speed limit, and the officer also noted that the woman's speech was slurred and she smelled of alcohol during the traffic stop. The young woman refused to take a field sobriety test.
During the traffic stop, the dash cam in the FHP trooper's patrol car reportedly caught the woman twice offering the law enforcement officer $3,000 to make the charges "all go away." When the trooper informed the woman that bribing a police officer is illegal, she stated that she has done it before, explaining that she "bribed a cop and ... got away with it in Miami." The woman was ultimately charged with felony bribery and DUI (driving under the influence).
Under Florida state law, bribery is defined as corruptly giving, offering, or promising any public servant "any pecuniary benefit not authorized by law with an intent or purpose to influence the performance of any act ... which the person believes to be ... within the official discretion of a public servant." Any individual who commits bribery commits a felony of the second degree.
A felony charge of bribery in Florida can carry with it severe penalties, and without professional legal representation, a person may suffer from the repercussions for years to come. The Orange County, FL bribery defense attorneys at Musca Law can help defend you against harsh penalties with their outstanding legal knowledge and courtroom skills. To see how we can assist you with your case, call (888) 484-5057 to schedule a complimentary consultation.