In the hierarchy of criminal behavior, not all crimes are the same. And when the media decides to cover crime, they generally choose from the top of the list. The evening news rarely shows someone getting a speeding ticket, for instance, but will show a murder because a murder more easily attracts an audience’s attention.
But despite the media’s focus, getting caught breaking any law means penalties — whether criminal, which can involve jail time, or civil, which involves being sued for damages. No matter the crime, when it comes time for court, an individual needs a solid defense.
Some of these lesser-known crimes include bribery, tampering and coercion. These crimes can occur in all facets of society, but whether it is from a huge corporation or a small church’s coffers, the penalties in Kentucky can be stiff. If you’re the one standing before a judge, you need a law firm with experience to ensure your defense is strong and your rights are protected.
Lawyer for Tampering, Bribes and Coercion
Accusations of bribery, tampering and coercion can be quite serious, with severe repercussions. When these charges are leveled against you, there is no time to waste.
You need to find an experienced and savvy attorney well-versed in these matters. Dan Carman and Attorneys can help.
Why Choose Us?
If you’ve been accused of, charged with or arrested for bribery, tampering or coercion in Kentucky, Dan Carman can help. Dan Carman Attorneys is a network of criminal defense attorneys located in nearly every county across the state and licensed to practice law in all courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The public may rank some crimes as more serious than others, but our attorneys know the law takes all crimes seriously. Contact us as soon as possible to start setting up your defense.
How Can We Help?
If you or a loved one has been accused of bribery, tampering or coercion in Kentucky, Dan Carman and his team can help. They have years of experience representing clients to ensure you are treated fairly, while providing an aggressive defense to achieve the best possible result.
With attorneys in nearly every county in the state, we have the ability and the knowledge to give you the best defense possible, no matter where you live.
Tampering, Bribery and Coercion in Kentucky
While these crimes are related, each is still unique. These crimes are defined differently and come with individual penalties. Understanding these differences and penalties can help you prepare for your legal defense.
Tampering in Kentucky
Tampering is intentionally altering or interfering in a criminal matter to affect an outcome or change conditions to benefit an individual or entity.
Tampering may occur with juries, witnesses, evidence or other parts of a legal case. In Kentucky, the penalty for tampering depends on the situation and the actions themselves.
Bribery in Kentucky
Bribery, essentially, is when money or something else of value — whether it is a physical item, a future action, a favor or other consideration — is exchanged to influence a person or entity to act illegally or unethically, to fix the outcome of an action in favor of the person or entity offering the bribe.
Coercion in Kentucky
Criminal coercion refers to the use of pressure, physical force or threats to persuade an individual, often a witness or official, to perform or avoid a specific act or improperly influence a case or proceeding. It is addressed in KRS 509.080, which states it is illegal and a class A misdemeanor to compel or coerce an individual to:
- Commit any crime
- Accuse anyone of a crime
- Expose any secret tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule or to impair another’s credit or business repute
- Take or withhold action as an official or cause an official to take or withhold action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Tampering, Bribes and Coercion
You probably have questions about your charges of tampering, bribery or coercion. Our tampering, bribes and coercion lawyer has compiled some common questions and their answers on this topic.
Is bribery a felony in Kentucky?
Yes, in Lexington and the rest of Kentucky, the law classifies bribery of a public servant as a class C felony. A class C felony comes with a penalty of between 5 and 10 years’ imprisonment and should be taken seriously from the moment charges are filed.
What kind of crime is criminal coercion in Lexington, KY?
In Lexington, KY, the law considers being convicted of criminal coercion as a class A misdemeanor. A class A misdemeanor may come with imprisonment of not more than 12 months. However, it is easier to prepare a defense against coercion than to mitigate the effects of your conviction.
How much jail time can you get for tampering in Kentucky?
Under Kentucky law, there are several ways tampering charges may be filed. Tampering with a witness is classified as a class D felony. Physical evidence tampering is also classified as a class D felony under the same law. Class D felonies can receive between one and five years of imprisonment.
What is the statute of limitations for tampering, bribes and coercion?
In Kentucky, your accuser has limited time to press charges against you. The statute of limitations for non-felony crimes is generally one year. However, felonies never expire. There are some exceptions to these rules, and it is best to speak with a tampering, bribes and coercion attorney for detailed information about your case.
These are general answers to questions about tampering, bribery and coercion. If you have been charged with any of these crimes, speaking with a knowledgeable lawyer regarding your case is important.
Get in Touch with a Seasoned Lawyer
Attorney Dan Carmen and his legal team can help. The prosecution doesn’t wait to prepare for your case, and neither should you. If you have questions or need a consultation, contact us online or call 859-685-1055.