Many people who are accused of employee theft don’t even know what embezzle means. While the most basic definition of this crime involves taking money or property from someone who entrusted you to care for it, the law and the prosecution of these cases are incredibly complex and any small mistake could impact your outcome later on. This is why anyone accused of these crimes absolutely needs the assistance of a top Vista embezzlement lawyer.
Embezzlement in San Diego
In fact, in San Diego, the police and District Attorney both have special departments focused on investigating white collar crimes like embezzlement. Federal investigators also have diligent forensic investigators that specialize in identifying evidence in cases like these. That means you can be certain that if you have been accused of embezzlement, there is already ample evidence against you.
This is why it is so important to hire a top Vista employee theft attorney as soon as you believe you are under investigation for any crime such as embezzlement or fraud. Only then can you ensure that you are protected not only from incriminating yourself during any conversations with investigators and alleged victims, but also from illegal search and seizures.
When to Hire a Vista Employee Theft Lawyer
It is important to hire a Vista embezzlement attorney immediately if you believe you are being suspected of any type of theft related to taking funds or property from your workplace, even if the police are not yet involved. This is also true even if you have been tasked with collecting charitable funds, which may also result in specialized fraud charges.
It is sometimes possible to work out repayment to the victims without getting the police called. If the police are involved, it may also work to your benefit to repay the victim through the negotiation of counsel. That being said, you should not attempt to contact the victim without your theft defense lawyer present or what you say could end up being used against you later.
Penalties for Embezzlement in San Diego
Ordinarily these accusations can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony. If your case is charged as a misdemeanor, you could face up to one year in jail, but as a felony, you could face up to three years in prison and $10,000 in fines, plus restitution to the victims. However, sentence enhancements can apply if the amount taken was particularly high. For example, if you have been accused of taking over $3.2 million worth of property, you could face an additional four years in prison. Additionally, you could also be charged with other crimes, such as grand theft, forgery or money laundering. Depending on your situation, a top Vista employee theft attorney could help you either fight the charges in court or negotiate a fair plea bargain to minimize your sentence.
If you have been accused of taking any amount of money or property that you were entrusted to care for, contact Vista embezzlement defense attorney Peter Liss as soon as possible to discuss your case. You can schedule a free consultation at his North or Central San Diego County law offices by calling (760) 643-4050 or (858) 486-3024.
Creative Commons Image by 401kcalculator.org
