DC Embezzlement Lawyer
Embezzlement is a serious financial crime that could seriously impact your future. Because it is generally the alleged theft of money from a business, if you are convicted of this offense, you may no longer be able to continue on your current career trajectory.
If you are facing these allegations or believe you are being investigated, it is important to reach out to a DC embezzlement lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you contact an experienced theft attorney, the better the outcome of your case could be.
Understanding Embezzlement Charges
Under DC law, embezzlement is not considered its own crime. Instead, the law combines embezzlement with a certain number of other actions and considers them all theft. Theft is broadly defined as wrongfully obtaining or using another person’s property and is a broad umbrella crime that includes activities such as larceny, theft by deception, and the actions that are commonly understood to be embezzlement.
Embezzlement specifically refers to a person wrongfully obtaining another person’s property by using or transferring that property or without authorization from the owner. The main distinction between embezzlement and other theft offenses is the amount of money allegedly obtained. Under DC law, if the property has any value under $1,000, then that can be charged as a misdemeanor theft offense, which will carry a maximum penalty of up to 180 days of jail, fines of up to $1,000, or both. However, if the value of the property wrongfully obtained is worth $1,000 or more, then it is considered a felony level theft offense. In a felony theft charge, the maximum penalty a person could face is ten years in prison, fines of up to $25,000, or both.
To learn more about the different types of charges, consult a DC embezzlement lawyer. They can explain the different levels of offenses and what those differences mean for a case.
How These Allegations Arise in DC
The most common way people are accused of embezzlement is when they work for a company and are in charge of company funds. Often, in this scenario, the employee is accused of using company money for personal expenses. Examples of this would be a financial officer allegedly using company money entrusted to them to pay their personal credit cards or for travel expenses. These are a couple of common ways that these charges arise but it is important to understand that they are not the only ways.
Any actions considered embezzlement can result in allegations of theft that can lead to lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines. A DC embezzlement attorney can further explain these charges and help determine how to fight them.
Rely on a DC Embezzlement Attorney
Allegations of embezzlement can threaten both your personal and professional life. In addition to the legal consequences associated with these charges, you also may be barred from certain professions and have your reputation diminished. Therefore, it is important to start fighting these allegations as soon as possible. Before even talking to the police during an investigation, you should reach out to a DC embezzlement attorney. An adept attorney can guide you through the legal process to work towards the best possible outcome. Call today to get started.