7 Defense Options for a California Embezzlement Charge

Embezzlement is one of the most common and damaging crimes committed against businesses in the United States. Due to the serious nature of this white-collar crime, being accused of embezzlement in California may cost you your reputation and career, as well as put you at risk for severe legal repercussions. If you have been charged with embezzlement, it is crucial that you get the help of a California embezzlement lawyer.

Aron Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm with experience helping clients in California who are charged with embezzlement. If you are facing legal repercussions for embezzlement, there are several defense options that may help you get the charges against you reduced or dropped.

What Are the Penalties for an Embezzlement Charge in California?

In the state of California, if you are charged with Penal Code 503 embezzlement, your crime may fall under either Penal Code 484a petty theft or Penal Code 487 grand theft. If you are convicted, you may face the following penalties based on the specific details of your case:

• If the value of the stolen property is less than $950, you may be charged with a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000.
• If the value of the property stolen is more than $950, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. You may be facing up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 if charged with a felony.
• If the value of the stolen property is more than $65,000, then you may be charged with a felony that includes an additional year to the three year prison sentence.

As the amount that you have been accused of stealing increases, the maximum penalties continue to increase as well. While you may be feeling helpless after being charged with embezzlement, a California embezzlement lawyer may be able to help your defense.

7 Defense Options if You Have Been Charged With Embezzlement

After being accused of embezzlement, it may feel like the entire California legal system is against you. While you may be feeling overwhelmed as you face serious legal repercussions, you do not have to go through the defense process on your own. When you work with a knowledgeable California embezzlement lawyer, they may be able to help you by building a strong defense that may result in having the charges against you reduced or dropped. Everyone deserves a second chance. That is why these seven defense options may help with your case:

• You have been falsely accused of embezzlement.
• You never had any intentions of using or taking the property in question.
• The police have mistaken your identity for the true perpetrator of the crime.
• You genuinely, but mistakenly, believed that you had the right to use or take the property in question.
• You had no intention of depriving the owner of their property.
• You had a good faith belief that the property truly did belong to you.
• The owner of the property never asked for their property to be returned.

Building your own defense may be overwhelming, but when you work with a professional that has experience dealing with the California criminal justice system, you may be able to ensure you have a fair trial.

Get Help From a California Embezzlement Lawyer

Being charged with a crime as serious as embezzlement can leave you wondering what your next steps should be. While it may feel like you are on your own, that is not the case. To get help with your defense, contact a California embezzlement lawyer as soon as possible.

The legal team at Aron Law Firm is dedicated to providing clients accused of embezzlement with the thoughtful and intelligent representation they deserve. Our knowledgeable California attorneys will work to help get the charges against you reduced or dropped. To speak with one of our embezzlement lawyers, contact us here (805) 500-7745