19.1 BRIBERY OF A PUBLIC SERVANT
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.
- Instruction
- 19.1
- Statute
- § 838.015(1), Fla. Stat.
- Edition
- Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026
- Official source
- The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Elements
Quoted word for word from the official text. Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026.
To prove the crime of Bribery of a Public Servant, the State must prove the following five elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Name of public servant) was a public servant.
2. (Defendant) knew that (name of public servant) was a public servant.
3. (Defendant) knowingly and intentionally [gave] [offered] [promised] (name of public servant) a pecuniary or other benefit.
4. (Defendant’s) [gift] [offer] [promise] was made with the intent or purpose to influence (name of public servant) in the performance of any act [or omission] that
Give 4a or 4b as applicable.
a. (defendant) believed to be [within the official discretion of (name of public servant)] [in violation of a public duty of (name of public servant)] [in performance of a public duty of (name of public servant)].
b. (name of public servant) represented as being [within [his] [her] official discretion] [in violation of [his] [her] public duty] [in performance of [his] [her] public duty].
5. The pecuniary or other benefit was not authorized by law.
Lesser-included offenses
As the instruction lists them, word for word.
BRIBERY OF A PUBLIC SERVANT — 838.015(1)
| CATEGORY ONE | CATEGORY TWO | FLA. STAT. | INS. NO. |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | |||
| Attempt if only “give” is charged | 777.04(1) | 5.1 |
Related practice page
Extortion & Bribery Defense in Miami
Official source: The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.