Alabama Constitution Section 80 - Same — Offer, gift, etc., of money, etc., to executive or judicial officers or members of legislature to influence official acts.
Alabama Constitution – Section 80: Bribery — Offering Gifts or Money to Influence Public Officials
📜 Overview:
Section 80 of the Alabama Constitution expands on the issue of bribery — not just focusing on the legislators who accept bribes (as in Section 79), but also on individuals who offer bribes to public officials.
🔑 Key Provisions of Section 80:
Prohibited Conduct:
It is unlawful for any person to offer, give, or promise any:
Money
Reward
Gift
Other thing of value
To any executive or judicial officer, or any member of the legislature
With the intent to influence that official's vote, opinion, judgment, or any other official action
Applicable Officials:
Legislators
Executive officers (e.g., governor, cabinet members)
Judicial officers (e.g., judges)
Purpose of the Bribe:
To corruptly influence any official duty or action such as:
Passing or defeating legislation
Rulings in court
Signing or vetoing bills
Any other official decision
Punishment:
Conviction results in disqualification from holding any office of trust or profit under the state of Alabama.
⚖️ Intent of Section 80:
This section is designed to:
Prevent external corruption (from citizens or lobbyists) that could affect how officials act.
Ensure independence and impartiality in all branches of state government — legislative, executive, and judicial.
Maintain public trust in government institutions.
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