Being pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence could be a frightening experience. This might be your first run-in with the law and the process may be unfamiliar. Knowing that your driving was not affected by alcohol or drugs in your system, you might try to convince the officer that you should be released. However, some actions during a DUI arrest could result in being charged for a much harsher crime like bribery.
Such was the case when an Alabama woman was stopped on suspicion of DUI. A resident had called police after they observed the woman driving recklessly. The officer stated that when he pulled her over, she smelled of alcohol and refused to take a field breath test. Believing she couldn’t safely operate her vehicle, he arrested her.
At the station, the woman offered the arresting officer $1,000 to release her. She also stated that she was well-connected, and his job could be in jeopardy.
The woman had initially faced only a DUI charge, which is a misdemeanor punished by up to 1 year in jail and up to $2,100 in fines. However, because she offered the officer money in exchange for letting her go, she has also been charged with bribery of a public servant.
What Is Bribery?
In Alabama, it is illegal for an individual to offer any object of value to a government employee with the intent to sway any action they make in an official capacity. This offense is a Class C felony. A conviction carries penalties of up to 10 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
Discuss Your Case During a Free Consultation with Tidwell Law Group, LLC
If you’re facing a DUI charge, our attorney can provide aggressive legal representation to challenge the case against you. We have over 17 years of experience, and we know that various defenses can be brought up to weaken the prosecutor’s case: The arrest procedure might have been unlawful, the chemical test equipment might have been faulty, or your driving behavior could have been due to factors other than alcohol in your system. We will thoroughly examine the facts of your case to develop a unique strategy and work toward getting charges reduced or dropped.
Get started today by calling us at (205) 536-7770 or contacting us online.
