Embezzlement is a crime committed when someone takes money or property that was entrusted to them to manage. This is a very serious crime that can come with some equally severe consequences.
Based on the amount of money embezzled, the consequences for an embezzlement conviction can be life-changing. Being convicted of a federal crime can mean a harsher conviction with more extreme criminal penalties. Should you or someone you love find yourself accused of an embezzlement charge, you will need legal representation to work on your behalf. Turn to a reputable embezzlement lawyer with experience handling embezzlement cases and find out how Lowther Walker, LLC can help you when you’re facing embezzlement charges.
Embezzlement falls under property theft if a violation of trust occurs when property or money is stolen from someone who has entrusted the management of assets to another person. What sets embezzlement apart from other thefts is trust relationships and the owner's right to legally possess the money or property that was stolen. Embezzlement occurs when a person has access to monetary or property-related accounts that they themselves don’t legally own. It can occur anytime there is a fiduciary relationship between managers and owners or other business partners variations. According to the Department of Justice, embezzlement can be defined as “the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom such property has been entrusted, or into whose hands it has lawfully come.” Various examples of embezzlement can include, but are not limited to, a bank manager or teller stealing money from a customer, a business employee taking from client or company funds, or even a board member dipping into investor money for personal use. Either state or federal embezzlement charges will be issued depending upon the type of embezzlement and circumstances surrounding the case. Because of the nature of embezzlement cases, a reputable embezzlement lawyer should be consulted for legal proceedings in all embezzlement cases.
State embezzlement will come with its own set of sentences that can include a fine or jail time. But federal embezzlement is a more serious offense with a more severe set of consequences. Any property or money stolen from the federal government by a person that works for the federal government or has access to government money and accounts is considered federal embezzlement. According to the law, thirty specific instances can be classified as federal embezzlement. A few examples include:
Penalties based on alleged embezzlement charges will vary from case to case. It will depend upon the value and type of property that the defendant has been accused of stealing, as well as other factors pertaining to each unique situation. Other factors may include previous crimes convictions, amount of trust and access a person had, and duration of theft. According to the law, someone convicted of embezzling more than $1000 of government money could be fined up to $250,000 and face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. More severe embezzlement crimes can mean harsher penalties if convicted. Embezzlement by a banking employee or employee of a lender or credit institution could mean a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or a maximum prison sentence of up to 30 years. It is important to note that embezzlement crimes do have a statute of limitations of five years. This means that any person suspected of embezzlement must be indicted within five years of the alleged crime time frame. Anything outside of those five years is not eligible for indictment.
Embezzlement is a serious crime to be convicted of, and thus charges and allegations should be taken very seriously. Because embezzlement is a financial crime that affects more than just the person being convicted, it is a crime that is taken very seriously by the courts. If you have been accused of embezzlement, you will need to turn to an embezzlement lawyer skilled in defending against these types of charges. Top-rated embezzlement lawyers have years of experience and know the law in and out, allowing them to create a solid defense and case on your behalf. They know the systems and processes of the courtrooms, federal justice system, sentencing guidelines, and what it will take to win an embezzlement case. An embezzlement indictment can be frightening. Embezzlement charges can affect your ability to get a job and live a normal life in the future. They can destroy relationships and ruin lives. Facing the possibility of incarceration may also be scary. But with a knowledgeable embezzlement lawyer for your defense, you may be able to get an acquittal, reduced charges, or minimized penalties. You can guarantee the opposing side will have an expert lawyer working against you, which is why you need an equally skilled embezzlement lawyer to represent you. When faced with a major criminal charge with devastating legal consequences, you need to hire a trial-tested embezzlement lawyer. You stand to lose a great deal if charged, so don’t hesitate to retain the services of our top-rated embezzlement lawyers at Lowther Walker, LLC.