Hire a Federal Lawyer for Illegal Gratuity Charges

Offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving a gratuity for an official act is a federal offense. This is because the U.S Code views these acts as public corruption. If you are found guilty of these charges, you may face time in federal prison or a hefty fine.

If you are charged with illegal gratuity, it’s important to remember that you can challenge or lessen your potential punishment by hiring a good federal defense lawyer. If you’ve been sentenced to time in federal prison, we can help you adjust to this difficult period in your life with prisoner consultation.

Contact the experts at Zoukis Consulting Group to learn more about public corruption charges and get the legal assistance you need today.

The Difference Between Illegal Gratuity and Bribery

Because illegal gratuity is closely associated with bribery, it’s important to know the differences between the two. There are a few key characteristics that will help you understand how illegal gratuity is classified.

Illegal gratuity lacks the intent to influence the job of a public official, but this is the defining feature of bribery. If you were charged with illegal gratuity, it means you are accused of accepting something of value related to an official act—but you are not accused of being persuaded in the act itself.

The big distinction between the two charges is seen in the extent of sentencing. A person convicted of bribery may serve up to 15 years in federal prison; a person convicted of illegal gratuity may serve up to two years in federal prison.

Though both bribery and illegal gratuity are federal crimes, bribery is a much more serious offense. With the lack of intent to persuade an official act, a lawyer from Zoukis Consulting Group can build a defense for you in court.

Understand How the U.S Code Views Illegal Gratuity

We’ve explained how an illegal gratuity charge falls short of bribery. However, hearing the characteristics of illegal gratuity itself will allow you to understand what you and your lawyer will face in court.

Illegal gratuity is a subcategory of federal public corruption crimes, and the maximum sentence is two years in prison or a $250,000 fine. While knowing the maximum sentence is important, there are still legal jargon and technicalities that can be explained for thorough comprehension. 

Here are definitions of the different aspects of illegal gratuity and what they mean for you from the attorneys at Zoukis Consulting Group.

Defining the Offense

Essentially, illegal gratuity is receiving or giving—or an attempt to receive or give—something of value for an official act. Additionally, receiving or giving something of value in an attempt to increase favor with a public official may also count as illegal gratuity.

Under U.S Code, “public official” is a broad label that includes many positions. This includes those who work in any agency, department, or branch of local or state government. Those who do not work in such positions but were granted authority, public trust, or who have de facto power to carry out government decisions are also considered public officials—including jurors.

In some cases, those who work with bank loans or with debt—particularly farm debt—may be included in these definitions.

Federal law prohibits gifts of this nature as it can influence the way a public official performs their duties, even if there is no intent to do so.

The Severity of the Offense

Not all punishments will be given with the maximum sentence or fine. Certain characteristics of the offense will increase its severity:

  • If the gratuity exceeds $6,500
  • More than one gratuity was given
  • The public official had power in government decision-making

Officials who have positions related to cargo or human entry into the U.S, citizenship processes, or government identification documents will also face more severe punishments.

To get the smallest sentence or fine possible, it’s important to have a qualified lawyer from the Zoukis Consulting Group present a strong defense on your behalf.

Get In Touch With a Federal Defense Lawyer for Illegal Gratuity Charges Today

Because you may face years in prison if you are found guilty of illegal gratuity, it’s important that you speak with an experienced federal defense lawyer. For those facing time in prison, our prison consultants can advise you on what you may experience and help you adapt to this process.

If you’ve been charged with offering or receiving an illegal gratuity, call the Zoukis Consulting Group for expert legal defense. Make an appointment with us today.

Offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving a gratuity for an official act is a federal offense. This is because the U.S Code views these acts as public corruption. If you are found guilty of these charges, you may face time in federal prison or a hefty fine.

If you are charged with illegal gratuity, it’s important to remember that you can challenge or lessen your potential punishment by hiring a good federal defense lawyer. If you’ve been sentenced to time in federal prison, we can help you adjust to this difficult period in your life with prisoner consultation.

Contact the experts at Zoukis Consulting Group to learn more about public corruption charges and get the legal assistance you need today.

The Difference Between Illegal Gratuity and Bribery

Because illegal gratuity is closely associated with bribery, it’s important to know the differences between the two. There are a few key characteristics that will help you understand how illegal gratuity is classified.

Illegal gratuity lacks the intent to influence the job of a public official, but this is the defining feature of bribery. If you were charged with illegal gratuity, it means you are accused of accepting something of value related to an official act—but you are not accused of being persuaded in the act itself.

The big distinction between the two charges is seen in the extent of sentencing. A person convicted of bribery may serve up to 15 years in federal prison; a person convicted of illegal gratuity may serve up to two years in federal prison.

Though both bribery and illegal gratuity are federal crimes, bribery is a much more serious offense. With the lack of intent to persuade an official act, a lawyer from Zoukis Consulting Group can build a defense for you in court.

Understand How the U.S Code Views Illegal Gratuity

We’ve explained how an illegal gratuity charge falls short of bribery. However, hearing the characteristics of illegal gratuity itself will allow you to understand what you and your lawyer will face in court.

Illegal gratuity is a subcategory of federal public corruption crimes, and the maximum sentence is two years in prison or a $250,000 fine. While knowing the maximum sentence is important, there are still legal jargon and technicalities that can be explained for thorough comprehension. 

Here are definitions of the different aspects of illegal gratuity and what they mean for you from the attorneys at Zoukis Consulting Group.

Defining the Offense

Essentially, illegal gratuity is receiving or giving—or an attempt to receive or give—something of value for an official act. Additionally, receiving or giving something of value in an attempt to increase favor with a public official may also count as illegal gratuity.

Under U.S Code, “public official” is a broad label that includes many positions. This includes those who work in any agency, department, or branch of local or state government. Those who do not work in such positions but were granted authority, public trust, or who have de facto power to carry out government decisions are also considered public officials—including jurors.

In some cases, those who work with bank loans or with debt—particularly farm debt—may be included in these definitions.

Federal law prohibits gifts of this nature as it can influence the way a public official performs their duties, even if there is no intent to do so.

The Severity of the Offense

Not all punishments will be given with the maximum sentence or fine. Certain characteristics of the offense will increase its severity:

  • If the gratuity exceeds $6,500
  • More than one gratuity was given
  • The public official had power in government decision-making

Officials who have positions related to cargo or human entry into the U.S, citizenship processes, or government identification documents will also face more severe punishments.

To get the smallest sentence or fine possible, it’s important to have a qualified lawyer from the Zoukis Consulting Group present a strong defense on your behalf.

Get In Touch With a Federal Defense Lawyer for Illegal Gratuity Charges Today

Because you may face years in prison if you are found guilty of illegal gratuity, it’s important that you speak with an experienced federal defense lawyer. For those facing time in prison, our prison consultants can advise you on what you may experience and help you adapt to this process.

If you’ve been charged with offering or receiving an illegal gratuity, call the Zoukis Consulting Group for expert legal defense. Make an appointment with us today.