An accusation of embezzlement can destroy your reputation and career. The consequences of a conviction are even worse. A conviction can result in a lifelong criminal record, a loss of employment, and possible incarceration.
Building a strong legal defense is essential if you want to protect yourself and your job from embezzlement accusations. A skilled Vienna, Virginia embezzlement attorney from Portner & Shure, P.A. can help build a defense case that shields you from injustice. We are here to preserve your freedoms and instill confidence in you that your future can be bright, no matter what the prosecution claims.
We need to get working on your defense. Call (410) 995-1515.
What is Virginia’s Embezzlement Law?
Under Virginia law, embezzlement is defined as taking another person’s property by an individual who was entrusted with the property by the victim. The difference between theft and embezzlement is that embezzlement involves a level of trust as the accused receives the property from the owner with the owner’s consent, and theft usually happens between strangers.
The specific elements of embezzlement are:
- A wrongful or fraudulent taking of the property by the accused
- The accused received the property due to their employment status
- The value of the property exceeded $200.00
The potential penalties for embezzlement are based on the value of the property that was taken. If the value of the property is less than $200.00, embezzlement is considered a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail and/or a fine of $2,500.00. If the value of the property is more than $200.00, embezzlement is considered a felony and carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $2,500.00. Additionally, convictions for either a misdemeanor or felony charge of embezzlement also carry restitution requirements, which are payments made to the victim.
Defense Against Embezzlement Charges
The prosecution in your embezzlement case must prove all the elements of the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. A careful review of the evidence may reveal that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove one or more of the elements of their case. With a single piece missing, the entire thing could fall apart.
For example, we might be able to prove that you never had a relationship of trust with the victim. Or maybe we can show that you do not have the stolen property. If it was never recovered, then was it ever actually stolen? The facts and the law say it technically was not.
