Bribery

By Author: Jane Cooper
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Bribery is considered to be a crime in which basically money is involved. It is a crime of giving benefit especially in terms of money to influence someone who is in position of trust it may be an officer or witness. Bribery not only involves giving bribe but also accepting of bribe is included in the definition of bribery and is a crime.

Bribery is a curse on the society and is spoiling and affecting the whole society. Bribery is something which should be removed from the world to make it a better place to live in. Today most people in government offices do not work unless and until bribe is offered to the officers. If one wants to get the license or passport everywhere bribe is offered. It is the duty of the common man to stop this as it starts from the very root of the society.

Definition of bribery
Bribery is offering or accepting anything which holds value, under the situation where the other person who has accepted the bribe is likely to or expected to carry out or execute a service that does not fall within the ambit of the normal duty or job profile of that person.

There can be many forms ...
... which are in the category of bribery but the most well known form is the money. Real estate, any expensive objects and also promise to perform some service in near future can be considered as bribery. Thus important thing in bribe is to accept something of value and in return to do something in favor. This is something which differentiates bribery from gift. In gift there is no such favor and gift is considered to be genuine.
Penalties for bribery
The penalty for this crime is either imprisonment for one year or fine. Sometimes depends upon the facts and circumstance it may be both imprisonment and as well as fine. The penalties for bribery also vary from one country to another. Different countries and states have different laws which govern the crime of bribery.

Types of bribery
Bribery is basically of three types and is as below:

Bribery of high ranking person in company or in politics.
Bribery of low level that is related to public official in other to speed upon the work.
Personal or familiar relationships to sanction or win public contract.

Bribery is generally a white collar crime. Today bribery is everywhere, it is seen in financial industry, in occupation of medicine wherein the drug companies bribe the doctors in order to promote and prescribe their products. It is usually offered if a person wants his work to be done faster. The company which is into construction business may bribe the civil servants in order to get the contract approved. Judges are not far away from this, anybody can bribe a judge so that the judge may pass order in his favor. Road violation and avoiding such penalty is the best and the common example of bribery. A motorist driving on the road may offer bribe to the traffic police so that the officer may let the person go even if that person has violated traffic rules.

If one is in Houston there are many law firms where one can engage a Houston criminal defense lawyer who will argue the matter in professional and appropriate way.
About Author:
Jane Cooper writes for a Houston DWI attorney who practices criminal defense in Houston.