Being accused of embezzlement is a life-changing event. Not only is it a serious criminal offense that can lead to severe penalties, including prison time, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record, but it is also linked to either your employment or your participation in some volunteer or social group. Getting those charges almost always means losing your job and taking immediate damage to your reputation.
Not addressing the charges can leave your reputation in tatters, but speaking about them can put you in a worse position for your criminal case. You should not try to handle the charges or even talk about the charges with other people on your own.
Instead, you need an experienced Avalon Park embezzlement lawyer from The Umansky Law Firm who understands the complexities of financial and white-collar crime cases.
At its heart, embezzlement is a theft crime. The means by which someone accomplishes the theft will make it embezzlement and involves a person entrusted with managing money or property misappropriating those assets for personal gain.
Often involving employees, business partners, or financial professionals, embezzlement is about abusing positions of trust. Depending on the amount involved and the circumstances, embezzlement can be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels.
One of the first orders of business for an Avalon Park attorney is determining whether your embezzlement charges are state or federal.
Embezzlement cases can vary widely in scope and severity. Some common examples include:
If you have been charged, it is crucial to get help from an embezzlement attorney immediately.
The severity of the penalties depends on factors such as the amount embezzled and whether the case is prosecuted at the state or federal level. Potential consequences include:
These potentially high penalties mean that a strong defense strategy is essential when facing embezzlement allegations. At The Umansky Law Firm, our Avalon Park lawyers carefully analyze the evidence and build a defense tailored to your case. Some potential strategies include lack of intent, insufficient evidence, mistaken identity, and duress or coercion.
The facts alleged by the prosecutor will make a difference in the choice of defense. For lack of intent, you might acknowledge taking the funds but prove that the taking was unintentional. If you were wrongly accused due to clerical errors or misinterpretations, a mistaken identity claim might work. If you were forced to commit the crime under threat, this may be a valid legal defense.
No matter what the allegations are, the defense attorney will look at the sufficiency of the evidence. If the prosecution lacks concrete proof, the charges may be dismissed.
Being accused of embezzlement can be overwhelming, but you do not have to face it alone. An Avalon Park embezzlement lawyer from The Umansky Law Firm can develop a tailored strategy to protect your rights and work toward a favorable resolution.
Our criminal defense team has decades of experience handling financial crime cases, and we understand the local legal system. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
