Miami-Dade Police have arrested a Miami-Dade bailiff for allegedly offering to fix traffic tickets in exchange for cash.
The bailiff has been charged with the felony offenses of uttering a forged instrument, official misconduct and illegal compensation. The bailiff has also been charged with one misdemeanor count of violating the county’s ethics code.
The Miami Herald reports that the bailiff had several meetings with a person who turned out to be working undercover for the Miami-Dade Police. The bailiff supposedly accepted sums of cash in exchange for agreeing to "fix" the person's traffic tickets.
Official misconduct cases are typically charged by the Public Corruption Unit of the State Attorney's Office. These crimes are taken seriously by prosecutors due to the fact that the accused is in a position of public trust.
Each felony count of uttering a forged instrument and official misconduct carries a maximum of 5 years in prison. The illegal compensation charge carries 15 years in prison. The misdemeanor count carries a maximum of 1 year in county jail.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney serving Miami-Dade and Broward.