Many people associated embezzlement with large corporations. They think of a person committing embezzlement to steal millions of dollars. The truth is that most embezzlement charges and convictions are not this dramatic. In fact, some people are shocked to learn that they could even be charged with embezzlement for their crime, which they believed was more closely aligned with a basic theft charge.
The truth is that embezzlement and theft charges are fairly similar but there is one big difference. Embezzlement involves stealing property or money from a person or entity that trusted the alleged thief with what was stolen. For example, a cashier who takes a few dollars out of their register could be guilty of embezzlement, as could using a company credit card to buy a few groceries.
To learn more about embezzlement, keep reading. If you have been charged with this crime, please contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
Potential penalties for embezzlement
Embezzlement can be qualified as grand theft or as petty theft. Which one a person will be charged with depends on the value and type of property that was stolen. It is grand theft if the theft included an automobile, a firearm, or property that has a total value of more than $950.
A charge of grand theft embezzlement is a wobbler offense, which means it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. How the prosecutor decides to charge a person will depend on several factors, including the circumstances of the theft and the criminal history of the accused. There is one exception: If a case involved stealing a firearm then it will always be charged as felony grand theft.
The maximum penalty for a misdemeanor charge of grand theft is up to one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000. On the other hand, a felony grand theft embezzlement charge could result in up to three years in prison as well as up to $10,000 in fines.
Felony embezzlement charges can also be subject to additional sentencing if the case involves very large sums of money. For property with a value of more than $65,000, a judge can add an extra year to a sentence, they can add two years for property worth more than $200,000, three extra years for more than $1.3 million, and four extra years for more than $3.2 million.
Call now if you have been charged with embezzlement
No matter what type of charge you are facing, if it involves theft or embezzlement then you need an experience attorney. Never plead guilty without first discussing your options with a lawyer. If you are in this position currently, then we urge you to contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation. We will fight diligently to ensure that we find the best possible outcome for your case.
