Attempting to bribe a witness in California can result in charges under CA Penal Code 137 – Bribery of a Witness. California treats PC 137 as a felony–level offense, with convictions resulting in incarceration and high fines.
You can learn more about this charge and California’s penal codes with help from a dedicated legal team. An attorney can also help you build a defense if you or a loved one faces charges under PC 137.
What You Need to Know About CA Penal Code 137 – Bribery of a Witness
Basically, individuals can face charges under PC 137 if the police accuse them of giving or offering a bribe to a witness with the corrupt intent of persuading the witness into agreeing that the bribe would influence their testimony or the information they provide to the court.
This law also applies if individuals try to bribe a person the court plans to call as a witness or a person who plans to provide material information about a crime to a law enforcement officer.
What Is Corrupt Intent?
Individuals display corrupt intent if they act wrongfully because they want to gain an advantage (often financial) for themselves or someone else.
What Happens After a PC 137 Conviction?
California treats PC 137 charges as felony-level offenses. A conviction for this charge can result in up to four years in prison. Individuals may also end up on probation after a conviction for bribery of a witness.
Does Bribery of a Witness Have Immigration Consequences?
A conviction under PC 137 can result in deportation for cases involving non-citizens in the U.S. It’s important to take these charges seriously and to get professional help from a criminal defense attorney immediately after an arrest.
Charges Like Bribery of a Witness
California has several other charges that apply to situations involving bribery. Examples of these charges include:
- CA Penal Code 67 – Bribery of Executive Officers
- CA Penal Code 85 – Bribery of Legislators
- CA Penal Code 92 – Bribery of Judges or Jurors
All of these charges can have serious consequences, so you should reach out to a criminal defense legal team for help immediately after an arrest.
Defenses to PC 137 Allegations
Attorneys can use several defenses when handling CA Penal Code 137 – Bribery of a Witness charges. For example, a lawyer may focus on:
Showing That You Did Not Bribe a Witness
You should only face charges under PC 137 if the police can show that you attempted to bribe a witness, someone who will be called as a witness by the court, or someone who plans to give material information to someone in law enforcement.
If you did not offer a bribe to any of these parties, you should not get convicted under PC 137, though you could face other legal charges in California in some situations.
Showing You Did Not Have Corrupt Intent
The court should only convict you under PC 137 if you demonstrate corrupt intent when trying to bribe a witness. If you did not try to gain an advantage for yourself or someone else, you may not face a conviction under PC 137.
How Do Lawyers Resolve PC 137 Charges?
Attorneys use multiple strategies when they focus on resolving charges of bribery of a witness. An attorney will need to review the facts about your arrest before deciding on how to handle the charges, but they may focus on:
Having the Prosecution Reduce the Charges
In some situations, plea bargaining can help an attorney reduce the charges a client faces. Plea bargaining involves negotiating with the prosecution, potentially securing a reduced charge in exchange for the defendant admitting guilt to another criminal act.
You should never accept a plea bargain without the approval of your attorney. Some of these deals will not represent your best choice.
Getting the Court to Drop the Charges
The court may agree to drop bribery of a witness charges if an attorney can show that the prosecution lacks the evidence to prove that the accused committed a crime. If the police violated your rights at any stage of the legal process, the court may also choose not to pursue the charges.
Fighting PC 137 Charges in Court
Finally, an attorney can aggressively represent your best interests in court. Your lawyer will explain what you should expect if you have to go to court and stand by you at all legal hearings, fighting to secure a verdict in your favor.
Talk to Us to Learn More About PC 137 Accusations
You can learn more about CA Penal Code 137 – Bribery of a Witness from our team at Los Angeles DUI Lawyer. We can also help you connect with a criminal defense law firm that can build your defense if you face these charges.
We understand what you’re going through after an arrest, and we want to help. Reach out now to learn more about how an attorney can assist with the legal challenges you face.
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