Legal Defense Against Embezzlement Charges
The term “embezzlement” describes any of a wide range of fraudulent actions wherein the perpetrator commits a theft of property that was placed in his trust. Common examples include a cashier or bank teller who steals money from the till or a bookkeeper who misappropriates funds. According to Section 31.02 of the Texas Penal Code, titled “Consolidation of Theft Offenses,” embezzlement is grouped together with several other crimes under the title of “Theft.” Embezzlement is distinguished from other forms of theft mainly by the circumstance that the stolen goods or funds were already in the possession of the defendant at the time of the act. If you are found guilty of embezzlement, the judge will assess your sentence against the value of the property that you are accused of stealing:
- Less than $50: Class C Misdemeanor – $500 fine
- $50 to $500: Class B Misdemeanor – $2,000 in fines and 180 days in jail
- $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor – $4,000 fine and 1 year in jail
- $1,500 to $20,000: State jail felony – 180 days to 2 years in jail and up to $10,000 fine
An embezzlement conviction will also stay on your permanent record for years to come. This means that you may not be considered for employment by companies that conduct background checks or require applicants to divulge a criminal background. You can work with an aggressive attorney to seek reduced charges on your behalf, or if possible, to have the charges dismissed entirely. It is important to receive qualified legal counsel before meeting with investigators because you run the risk of weakening your defense by making statements.
Protecting Your Rights With Our Law Firm’s Help
The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, is a criminal defense group that collaborates to find the most effective strategy for protecting our clients’ rights. We know from our experience of working with people accused of white collar crimes that you may be feeling stress and anxiety over being charged with embezzlement. But when you are represented by our firm, you can be confident that your case is receiving the highest level of legal defense available. Contact a Plano embezzlement attorney at the Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, today.
