Corrupt practices affect people around the world, whether it is paying a bribe to receive medical care, obtain a building permit or enjoy phone services or engaging in an illegal money-laundering scheme. Often, the corrupt activity results in financial loss for victims who are forced to pay hefty fines or have their assets frozen. It can also have a devastating impact on one’s professional reputation, and it can lead to the loss of future employment opportunities. For these reasons, the federal government takes corruption charges very seriously and has a number of different statutes to criminalize the conduct.
Federal corruption prosecutions focus on a wide range of activities, including public bribery and malfeasance in office, wire and mail fraud, program fraud and bribery, and embezzlement. The penalties for a conviction of these offenses can include prison time, large fines, and the loss or forfeiture of valuable business assets.
It is important for anyone facing corruption charges to have the guidance of a Boston white-collar crime attorney who understands how to defend against these types of claims. Your lawyer can bolster your defense by challenging the legality of the search and seizure of evidence, arguing that you lack intent to engage in corrupt activities, or securing expert testimonies to debunk allegations made against you.
When defending against corruption charges, it is also important to understand constitutional issues involved in these cases such as your right to remain silent during questioning by law enforcement, the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, and the Sixth Amendment right to competent legal representation. In addition, your Boston attorney can develop a comprehensive defense strategy based on your unique circumstances and help you explore alternative resolutions such as plea bargains or deferred prosecution agreements.