When a motorist offers $50 to a Traffic Enforcement Agent to avoid a ticket, what crime has been committed?

The crime committed in this scenario is bribery. Bribery involves an individual offering money or gifts to a public official with the intention of influencing their actions or decisions. In this case, the motorist is attempting to persuade the Traffic Enforcement Agent to not issue a ticket by offering $50, which fits the definition of bribery. This act undermines the integrity of public officials and the legal framework they operate within by attempting to secure favorable treatment through illicit means.

Other options, like corruption, misconduct, and negligence, do have their own legal definitions and implications but do not accurately describe the specific act of offering a bribe. Corruption typically encompasses a broader array of dishonest behaviors by those in power, while misconduct usually refers to actions that violate the rules of professional conduct. Negligence pertains to a failure to exercise reasonable care, which isn’t applicable in this scenario. Thus, bribery is the most precise label for this wrongful act.