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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 1.5Art. 3§ 9054 Bribing Legislators Prohibited

§ 9054 Bribing Legislators Prohibited

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 9054 Bribing Legislators Prohibited

Key Takeaways

  • •It's a crime to trick someone into giving you money by saying you can unfairly influence a politician's vote or decision.
  • •You can't refuse to testify in court about this crime just because you're scared of getting in trouble yourself.
  • •If you testify, your words can't be used against you later in court, except if you lie under oath.

Example

Someone asks you for $10,000, promising they can make a lawmaker vote for a new park in your neighborhood.

This is illegal because they're pretending they can control the lawmaker's vote to get your money. If they get caught, they can't say no to testifying in court just because they're scared of getting in trouble.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9054 Bribing Legislators Prohibited

Every person who obtains, or seeks to obtain, money or other thing of value from another person upon a pretense, claim, or representation that he can or will improperly influence in any manner the action of any member of a legislative body in regard to any vote or legislative matter, is guilty of a felony. Upon the trial no person otherwise competent as a witness may be excused from testifying concerning the offense charged on the grounds that the testimony may criminate himself, or subject him to public infamy. The testimony shall not afterwards be used against him in any judicial proceeding except for perjury in giving the testimony. (Enacted by Stats. 1943, Ch. 134.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

trialclaimfelonycrimeoffenseinfluencerepresentation

Related Statutes

  • § 9050 Legislative Interference Felony
  • § 9051 Legislative Session Disruption
  • § 9052 Fraudulent Legislative Document Alteration
  • § 9053 Altering Legislative Documents Fraud
  • § 9053.5 Fake Legislative Document Ban

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 9054.
View Official Source