FOCL Practice Test

Which of the following scenarios illustrates the offense of bribery under Texas law?

1. A restaurant owner offers free meals for better ratings.

2. A district attorney soliciting money to drop charges.

3. A motorist offering money to avoid a ticket.

4. All of the above.

The correct answer is: All of the above.

Bribery under Texas law occurs when an individual offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit to another with the intent to influence the recipient in their official capacity. This means that for an act to constitute bribery, there must be an expectation of some preferential treatment in exchange for the benefit offered. In the scenario involving the district attorney soliciting money to drop charges, this clearly fits the definition of bribery. The district attorney is leveraging their position to solicit a financial benefit (money) in return for an official favor (dropping charges), which directly violates the law. Similarly, when a motorist offers money to avoid a ticket, this is another clear example of bribery. The motorist is attempting to influence law enforcement's decisions regarding the enforcement of traffic laws through a financial incentive, which is unlawful. The scenario where a restaurant owner offers free meals in exchange for better ratings may also be considered a form of bribery, particularly if the intent is to influence an official or public ratings system. If this action is aimed at gaining an unfair advantage in ratings by offering something of value, it aligns with the concept of bribery. Thus, all these scenarios demonstrate actions that would constitute bribery under Texas law, as they involve an