Embezzlement Attorney In Los Angeles

Employee Fraud or Stealing

Simply put, embezzlement is stealing from your employer, also known as employee theft. This is a serious white collar crime carried out by employees who are familiar with the organization and exploit that knowledge for illegal gain. If you are charged with embezzlement, you need an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer in your corner. An experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. An attorney not familiar with embezzlement law may not grasp how to obtain a reduction of charges or even a dismissal. In some scenarios, negotiations with the victim can be initiated before criminal charges are filed resulting in no criminal case being filed. Call our office for a no-charge consultation to discuss your legal situtation and any options available to you.

Embezzlement Law in California

Embezzlement is the "illegal transfer of money or property for personal use." Common types of embezzlement are credit card fraud, false records (invoices or accounts) to conceal a theft, stealing small amounts of money or property over time and theft involving a large amount of money at once. Embezzlement is prosecuted in California under Penal Code section 503. Embezzlement is "the fradulent appropriation of property by a peron to whom it has been entrusted." In most embezzlement cases there is a relationship of trust and confidence between the defendant and the victim. If there is no relationship of trust then you will be prosecuted under the theft law. Examples of relationships of trust include, employer and employee, a doctor and office manager, and a lawfirm and in-house accountant. In oder for the prosecutor to obtain a conviction for embezzlement the following elements must be proved:

The defendant had a relationship with the victim/owner;
The defendant was entrusted with a certain property or money;
The defendant missapropriated (transfered funds) entrusted to him or her for their own personal use or benefit; and
The defendant had the specific intent to deprive the owner of his or her property (by fradulently taking it as their own).

Most embezzlement cases are uncovered as a result of an internal or external audit of the company, whistleblowers, or pure luck. Employees who handle the money or accounting for the company are the usual suspects in embezzlement cases. There are a number of employee profiles associated with embezzlement including:

Disgruntled and stressed out employees
Employees experiencing financial difficulties
Employees who have a drug or alcohol problem
Employees with a gambling problem
Employees who are living life on the edge
Employees who live beyond their means
Employees who never take a vacation.

Embezzlement Penalties

Embezzlement convictions can have life-changing consequence such of as the loss of your reputation, professional license, and future employment opportunities. Embezzlement can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The penalties for embezzlement are similar to theft penalties since embezzlement falls under the umbrella of theft. The penalties vary depending on many factors including prior criminal history of the defendant, the dollar amount stolen, the number of individual thefts from the employer, and the degreee of sophistication of the theft(s) :

First offenses involving less than $950 are midemeanors and are punishable by a small fine, community service, restitution,three years of informal probation and up to six months in county jail. An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to reduce this charge to an infraction assuming there are no prior convictions, specificlly any past theft related convictions.

First offenses involving more than $950 can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony punishable by a $1,000 fine, community service, restitution, and one year county jail or 16 months to three years in state prison.

Second offenses are a much more serious matter. They can be charged as a felony and are punishable by one year in county jail or even 16 months to 3 years in state prison.

First offenses involving less than $50 with no prior theft-related convictions may be reduced to an infraction.

Offenses involving embezzlement or theft from seniors or disabled adults are serious and can be prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies punishable by county jail or state prison.

Los Angeles Embezzlement Defense Attorney

It is important to hire an attorney with experience in embezzlement cases in order to obtain the best result. An experienced attorney can develop and prepare a defense strategy early in the case. If you are being questioned by your employer or being investigated by an outside agency regarding missing funds at work, you should immediately consult with a criminal defense attorney. Speaking to anybody other than an attorney will put you in a dangerous situation. Anything you say to your employer or anybody else can and will be used against you in the event that a criminal case is filed. Call our office and arrange for a no-charge consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We are aggresive attorneys and have successfuly defended many clients involved in embezzlement and other theft related matters. We are skilled trial lawyers and negotiators and can help you avoid a conviction and or negotiate a settlement that keeps you out of county jail or state prison.

If you have been arrested for embezzlement, contact a Los Angeles embezzlement attorneyat our office now for a free initial consultation on the facts of your case.