The white collar crime of embezzlement, also commonly referred to as employee theft, is a workplace theft crime that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. The consequences of an embezzlement conviction are far reaching as they extend beyond the criminal punishments. An embezzlement conviction and the resulting criminal record can jeopardize future employment prospects, citizenship, and professional licensing.
If you have been arrested or suspect you may be investigated for an embezzlement, contact our Los Angeles embezzlement attorneys immediately for a free confidential case review. Criminal defense lawyers, Paul Takakjian and Steve Sitkoff are former senior prosecutors with the LA County District Attorney’s Office with a combined 70 years of criminal law experience in Los Angeles County. Whether we are preparing a case for trial or negotiating a plea agreement, our extensive expertise in the area of white collar crime defense ensures our clients of the best possible case outcomes.
California Penal Code 503 | EMBEZZLEMENT
Embezzlement is categorized as a white collar theft crime because it involves the unlawful taking or theft of property entrusted to someone by another. As a “wobbler” offense, embezzlement can range in seriousness from either a felony or misdemeanor crime with the determination based on variables such as your prior criminal history and the amount of the theft. The penalties and range of sentencing for an embezzlement conviction can also vary depending on whether your prior history of theft-related offenses and whether you are convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. A Los Angeles felony embezzlement conviction carries up to 3 years in prison, while a misdemeanor embezzlement carries up to 1 year in county jail.
Contact Our Embezzlement Defense Attorneys Today
The best legal defense is a proactive one. Most embezzlement cases begin with an investigation conducted internally by the employer followed by a police investigation. Therefore, most people charged with embezzlement are typically made aware of their status as a suspect long before prosecutors formally file their criminal complaint with the court. This “prefile” investigative period represents the best opportunity to resolve your case without further criminal action through negotiations with authorities or victims on a restitution agreement.
The defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP practice criminal defense law exclusively, and have done so since 1987. Call us today at (866) 430-8383 for a free case analysis. Consultations can be conducted by phone or in-person at our Los Angeles office.