Bribes v. Gratuities

The U.S. Supreme Court issued one criminal law decision today, Snyder v. United States, No. 23-108. The Court gave a narrow construction to a federal bribery statute regarding state and local officials, distinguishing bribes from “gratuities.” In 18 U.S.C. § 201, which applies to federal officials, Congress expressly made that distinction. Subdivision (b) applies to bribes paid to induce an official act, while subdivision (c) applies to gratuities paid after the fact as a reward for an official act. This case involves 18 U.S.C. § 666, which applies to state and local officials. The Court held that § 666, as narrowed by a subsequent amendment, is more like § 201(b) and applies only to bribes, not gratuities.

In other action, the Court took a narrow view of standing and tossed out a suit challenging government-induced censorship in social media. The case is Murthy v. Missouri, No. 23-411.

Still waiting for a decision on Grants Pass. Maybe tomorrow or Friday.