What Happens if I am Charged With Embezzlement?

Embezzlement is a type of theft that is considered a white-collar crime. Generally, embezzlement involves theft by deceit, rather than by force or aggression. Oftentimes, embezzlement occurs in a workplace setting, where, for example, a trusted employee will funnel certain funds into his or her bank account. Unfortunately, people are very often wrongfully charged with embezzlement, which is why if you are now facing charges, you must read on and reach out to an experienced New York criminal defense attorney who is ready to fight for your rights.

Will I go to jail for an embezzlement conviction?

If you are someone who is facing an embezzlement charge, you cannot afford to wait any longer–you must hire an experienced attorney to combat significant fines and potential jail time. The consequences of embezzlement in New York are as follows:

• Stolen money or property valued at $1,000 or less: Up to $1,000 in fines, as well as one year in jail
• Stolen property valued at more than $1,000, though not more than $3,000: Up to $5,000 in fines, as well as up to four years in prison
• Stolen property valued at more than $3,000, though not more than $50,000: Up to $5,000 in fines, as well as up to seven years in prison
• Stolen property valued at more than $50,000, though not more than $100,000: Up to $15,000 in fines, as well as up to 15 years in prison
• Stolen property valued at more than $100,000: Up to $30,000 in fines, as well as up to 25 years in prison

Can an attorney beat an embezzlement charge?

Fortunately, with the right attorney on your side, you stand a very good chance of having your charges mitigated, or, in the best cases, dropped altogether. Though your particular defense will depend on your specific case, there are various defenses a skilled attorney may use to beat your embezzlement charge. For example, your attorney may make the case that you received consent to take the property, or that you could have reasonably assumed you had permission to take the object in question.

Additionally, your attorney could argue that you did not realize that you were stealing the property, or that you simply misunderstood another person’s intentions with their money. For example, sometimes people in charge of managing the elderly’s finances will simply miscommunicate and mishandle the money. Do not face unwarranted embezzlement charges alone. Our firm is here to help.

Contact our experienced Rockland County firm

Kevin T. Conway has over 30 years of experience as a Spring Valley criminal attorney handling DUI, DWI, traffic violations, violent crimes, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, shoplifting, and juvenile crimes. Attorney Conway is also experienced in commercial law matters, zoning law, and estate planning. If you need a Rockland County criminal lawyer, contact our Spring Valley office for a free consultation.