Accusations of embezzlement can jeopardize your professional reputation, personal relationships, and future opportunities. At Simmrin Law Group, we recognize how serious this charge is, and we’re committed to providing you with the robust legal defense you need.
Let’s explore what constitutes embezzlement under California law, the potential consequences you might face, and how an experienced San Gabriel embezzlement lawyer can help safeguard your rights.
We’ll also discuss effective defense strategies and crucial steps to take if you’ve been accused of embezzlement. If you know you’re under investigation for embezzlement, contact us now to speak with a criminal defense lawyer in San Gabriel.
How does California Law Define Embezzlement?
California Penal Code Section 503 spells out the charge of embezzlement:
- Someone entrusted you with money or property. This is often an employer.
- You were meant to maintain or keep the property by the property’s owner.
- Instead of doing this, you used it for yourself.
- You did it with the intent to deprive the owner of the use or benefit of what you were given.
You cannot say you planned to return what you took as a defense. The act of using it for yourself, even for a short while, makes the crime embezzlement. This crime is different from other theft crimes because the owner trusted you with the property.
For a free legal consultation with an embezzlement lawyer serving San Gabriel, call (310) 896-2723
What Penalties Might You Face for Embezzlement in San Gabriel?
Like many crimes involving property, the property’s value can change the charges. In California law, there are three grades of embezzlement: petty theft, misdemeanor grand theft, and felony grand theft.
You will face charges of petty theft embezzlement if the amount you took was $950 or less. If convicted, you could face:
- Six months in jail
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Required to pay restitution
- Summary (unsupervised) probation
Any amount over $950 makes the crime grand theft embezzlement, which can be a misdemeanor or a felony. These penalties can also be enhanced if certain circumstances apply to your case. Our San Gabriel embezzlement attorneys can tell you if these may apply to your case.
San Gabriel Embezzlement Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
How Can Embezzlement Charges Impact Your Future?
An embezzlement conviction will alter your life in many ways far beyond the state’s punishment. You may lose your current job and be blackballed from your career. You may also lose professional licenses.
Embezzlement is a financial crime, so you may struggle to get loans and credit or get housing because you won’t be seen as trustworthy with money. This can lower your standard of living and put a strain on your relationships.
Finally, you’ll have a permanent criminal record and potentially be a felon. Felons lose many significant civil rights and face a lot of prejudice in society. However, working with our embezzlement lawyers in San Gabriel will make it much harder for you to lose your case.
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What Defense Strategies Can Be Used Against Embezzlement Charges?
Once you hire a lawyer, they will build a defense strategy against your charges. Some possible defense strategies include:
Good Faith Belief
This could serve as a defense if you genuinely believed you had the right to use the property or funds. However, it’s crucial to show that this belief was reasonable. This can be easier said than done. You will need evidence to show you have the authority to use the property as you did.
Lack of Criminal Intent
You might have used property due to a mistake without the criminal intent of fraud. To be convicted, you must intend to take property or money away from someone else, even for a limited time. If we can show you lacked intent to embezzle, the charges may not stick.
Insufficient Evidence
Since embezzlement involves property entrusted to another, the prosecution can find it difficult to obtain evidence of misuse. If we can disprove their proof so they cannot prove all four elements of the crime, your case may be dismissed.
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How Can a San Gabriel Embezzlement Lawyer Assist Your Case?
An experienced embezzlement lawyer can provide you with the help you need to defend yourself. We’ll identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and potential defenses. In many cases, we can negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or even case dismissal before trial.
At Simmrin Law Group, our decades of legal experience put us ahead of other law firms. If your case goes to trial, we’ll provide vigorous defense in court, challenging the prosecution’s evidence and effectively presenting your side of the story.
Our approach is thorough, aggressive, and client-focused. We conduct extensive research to gather the evidence for your case, including hiring forensic accountants to seek proof that you did not commit embezzlement.
Contact a San Gabriel Embezzlement Lawyer Today
Facing embezzlement charges can be overwhelming, but remember, you don’t have to navigate this challenging situation alone. The experienced San Gabriel embezzlement attorneys at Simmrin Law Group are ready to defend you against these charges in any court in California.
Contact Simmrin Law Group today for a free consultation. Early intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome of your embezzlement case, so don’t wait. As soon as you know you’re under investigation, call us.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form