Embezzlement Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA

Embezzlement differs from theft in that the funds or property taken for one's own use or benefit was entrusted to the care of that person. For example, an employee who has charge of the company bank accounts and routes monies from those accounts to their own is guilty of embezzlement. Embezzlement activities cover a vast range of scope and may include other crimes, such as fraud.

A criminal defense attorney can help you to address your case and build a defense if you have been accused of embezzlement. It is sometimes possible to have charges reduced or even dropped. If you are to be prosecuted, this may occur at either state or federal level. Depending on the value of funds or items misappropriated, embezzlement can be filed as a felony charge and carry steep penalties potentially including fines and prison time.

California Embezzlement Law

According to the California Penal Code Section 503-515, embezzlement is "the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted." Embezzlement is a white collar crime that is committed by an employee who has access to private information. The difference between embezzlement and other types of theft is the phrase "to whom it has been entrusted." Rather than gaining information illegally, this information has been given to the employee but used illegally.

In California, embezzlement can be charged as grand theft or petty theft, depending on the value stolen. As a "wobbler" offense, embezzlement can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you could be required to pay up to $1,000 and spend a year in jail. A felony is more serious and can result in a $10,000 and three years in state prison.

Embezzlement and the Legal Process: How We Could Help

In the face of embezzlement charges, competent and effective legal representation is vital for a chance at protecting your future. At Martinian & Associates, we are committed to you and your case and doing all we can in pursuit of a positive outcome. It is important to remember that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. Due to the complex nature of cases of embezzlement and the many forms in which it can occur, this can be a difficult task.

It can sometimes be hard to draw a clear distinction between the appropriate use of the assets for which the accused was responsible and their theft. Our firm will review the prosecution's evidence and seek to have this discounted or disproved. We will endeavor to obtain evidence in your favor and argue the points of the case with the expertise which has led to our many successes.