Legal Question in Business Law in Missouri

James L. Strickland paid an unsolicited $2,500 bribe to Judge Sylvania W. Woods so that the judge would be lenient on a friend of Strickland�s who had a case pending before Judge Woods. Paying a bribe to a government official is a crime. Judge Woods reported the incident and turned the money over to the state�s attorney general. The state of Maryland indicted Strickland for bribery and sentenced him to four years in prison. Strickland filed a motion to recover the $2,500 from the state. Can Strickland recover the money?


Asked on 12/05/11, 7:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sean Santoro Santoro Law Office

This question is posted as a Missouri inquiry, and in Missouri the answer would be NO. The bribe is considered fruits or instrumentalities of a crime. The only way he could recover it is if he is found not guilty. Otherwise, it goes to the state which would file a motion to seize the money and said motion will be granted.

Read more
Answered on 12/09/11, 7:50 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Business Law questions and answers in Missouri