A criminal charge of any kind can have a serious, long-term impact on your future and your freedom. If you have been accused or charged with embezzlement, you could face a lengthy sentence if convicted. A Winter Park embezzlement lawyer could help you understand the charges and penalties you face while navigating the legal system on your behalf.
An experienced white collar crime attorney could provide support and legal advocacy to pursue the most favorable conclusion to your case proceedings. Schedule an initial consultation with The Umansky Law Firm today to speak with a reliable legal professional.
Embezzlement generally refers to a situation where a person or entity unlawfully takes money they were entrusted to oversee. Often, embezzlement charges are leveled against one party who owed another a fiduciary duty to make financial decisions or otherwise act in their financial interests and is alleged to have breached that obligation.
Anyone alleged to have used their position to take money from someone else can be charged with embezzlement. Some examples of individuals who could be accused of abusing their fiduciary duties include the following:
Florida does not have a specific statute addressing embezzlement. As such, this crime typically falls under the state’s theft statute, which is also used to address property-related crimes. Embezzlement can be charged as either petit theft or grand theft, depending on the value of the funds involved.
Petit theft may be a misdemeanor or felony, while grand theft is always a felony. In addition to the value of the funds in question, a prior theft conviction can upgrade an embezzlement charge to an offense that entails more severe penalties.
If you have been accused of embezzlement, you must ensure you have aggressive legal representation from a Winter Park lawyer. Our legal professionals could work to exploit vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s case and build the strongest possible defense against your charge.
An embezzlement conviction could result in long-term ramifications, such as jail time and fines, a permanent criminal record, and difficulties securing future employment. Embezzlement involving property valued at $100 or more but less than $750 is first-degree petit theft, a misdemeanor. This offense is punishable by up to $1,000 in financial penalties and up to 12 months in jail.
If the accused has been convicted of petit theft at least twice previously, even embezzlement involving a modest amount of money could result in felony charges. A person with two or more petit theft convictions will be charged with a third-degree felony, which carries legal punishments, including $5,000 in fines and up to five years in jail.
Embezzlement charges often involve large amounts of money, so if convicted, individuals will typically face felony penalties. For example, embezzling funds between $300 and $20,000 is grand theft and a third-degree felony. If the funds allegedly embezzled were between $20,000 and $100,000, the offense is chargeable as second-degree grand theft and a second-degree felony. The legal punishments for a second-degree felony include but are not limited to, up to $10,000 in financial penalties and 15 years of incarceration.
Embezzlement of $100,000 or more is first-degree grand theft and a first-degree felony, carrying legal punishments including up to 30 years in jail plus financial penalties. A Winter Park lawyer could probe the chain of events behind your embezzlement charge and evaluate the appropriate defense accordingly.
Our Winter Park embezzlement lawyers understand the laws and legal proceedings surrounding your case, enabling us to cultivate a tailored defense to negotiate your charge down or get it dismissed.
A determined attorney could help you avoid critical mistakes that could hurt the outcome of your charge while advising you on the best course of action to take at every phase of your case.
Whether highlighting weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, building a defense strategy, or handling essential paperwork and documentation, having the right legal counsel by your side is essential in any criminal matter. Contact The Umansky Law Firm today for your one-on-one legal consultation with a professional and hardworking criminal lawyer.
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