The moment you’re accused of embezzlement in Cerritos, your world can feel like it’s crumbling beneath your feet. Your reputation, career, and freedom are suddenly at stake. At Simmrin Law Group, we’ve helped clients in your position beat their charges.
Our embezzlement lawyers in Cerritos are ready to help you fight charges in any California or federal court. These cases are often quite complex, so you need to work with a lawyer as soon as possible to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.
Contact our criminal defense lawyers in Cerritos right away to schedule a consultation, or keep reading to learn more about embezzlement charges in the State of California.
What Is Embezzlement Under California Law?
Embezzlement is defined in California Penal Code § 503. To be charged with embezzlement, four elements must be present:
- You were entrusted with money or property.
- The property’s owner trusted you to maintain or keep it.
- You fraudulently transferred it to yourself for your own benefit.
- You did so with the intent to deprive the owner of the use or benefit of the property or money.
The act of using the assets for personal gain, even temporarily, can constitute embezzlement under California law. Even if you intend to return the property or money, you can still be charged with embezzlement.
For a free legal consultation with an embezzlement lawyer serving Cerritos, call (310) 896-2723
What Are Some Common Examples of Embezzlement?
To better understand the scope of embezzlement, it’s helpful to look at some real-world examples.
- A company accountant transfers small amounts of money from the company’s account to their personal account over time.
- An executive who uses company funds to pay for personal expenses, such as luxury vacations or home renovations, disguises these as business expenses.
- A cashier who doesn’t ring up certain items for friends or family, allowing them to take merchandise without paying.
- A store manager who creates fake refunds and pockets the money.
- A bank teller who skims small amounts from customer deposits before recording the transaction.
- A loan officer who approves loans for non-existent clients and diverts the funds to personal accounts.
- A charity organizer who uses donations for personal expenses instead of the intended charitable purpose.
- A treasurer of a community organization who writes checks to themselves from the organization’s account.
- A public official who awards contracts to companies in which they have a hidden financial interest.
- A tax collector who pockets a portion of the taxes collected before submitting the rest to the government.
- An employee who creates a fake vendor and submits invoices for payment to their own account.
- A business partner who secretly sells company assets and keeps the proceeds.
- An executor of a will who transfers estate assets to themselves instead of the rightful heirs.
- A trustee who uses funds from a trust for personal investments rather than for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries.
Cerritos Embezzlement Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
What Are the Penalties for Embezzlement in Cerritos?
The penalties for embezzlement in Cerritos depend on the value of the property or money involved. Embezzlement can be charged as either petty theft or grand theft:
Petty Theft Embezzlement
If the value is $950 or less, you’ll face misdemeanor charges with potential penalties including:
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Summary (unsupervised) probation
Grand Theft Embezzlement
For amounts over $950, you could face either misdemeanor or felony charges:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail, fines up to $1,000, and/or probation
- Felony: 16 months to 3 years in county jail, fines up to $10,000, and formal probation
These charges can be enhanced if the victim is a senior citizen or if the embezzled property was a firearm.
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How Can an Embezzlement Conviction Change Your Future?
Beyond the legal penalties, you may face many other negative consequences with an embezzlement conviction. A conviction will show others that you’re not trustworthy with money or other assets.
This can make it difficult to find future employment or to get a professional license. If you run your own business, your professional reputation may be permanently tarnished. You may also find it hard to get loans or credit and may have to declare bankruptcy if you have to pay back what you took.
This loss of social standing can also impact your relationships and your mental health long after you’ve finished serving your sentence. So make sure you fight back hard by working with our Cerritos embezzlement lawyers on your defense as soon as you know you’re under investigation.
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What Steps Should You Take if Accused of Embezzlement?
If you’re facing embezzlement accusations in San Gabriel, here’s what to do:
- Seek immediate legal counsel: Contact an experienced embezzlement lawyer in Cerritos as soon as possible and follow their advice.
- Exercise your right to remain silent: Don’t discuss the allegations with anyone except your attorney.
- Preserve all evidence: Keep all relevant documents, emails, and financial records.
- Don’t attempt to repay funds: This could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
What Defense Strategies Can Be Used Against Embezzlement Charges?
Embezzlement requires intent to deprive the owner of their property. If you can demonstrate that your actions were a mistake or misunderstanding rather than intentional fraud, this could serve as a strong defense.
If you genuinely believed you had the right to use the property or funds, this could serve as a defense. However, it’s crucial to show that this belief was reasonable under the circumstances. Embezzlement cases often rely heavily on financial records and witness testimony.
Finding the right defense shouldn’t be a job you do on your own. Instead, let our embezzlement lawyers in Cerritos study your case and find the best defense for your situation.
Contact a Cerritos Embezzlement Lawyer Today
The experienced legal team at Simmrin Law Group is ready to help you fight charges of embezzlement in California. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you take the first steps toward protecting your future.
You do not have to wait until you are arrested or charged before working with a lawyer. As soon as you learn you’re under investigation, reach out to us.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form