Embezzlement Charges
Houston Embezzlement Defense Attorney
According to the Texas Penal Code, employees who steal goods or services from their employer can be charged with embezzlement. Whether the alleged crime involved pocketing a few dollar bills from the cash register or falsifying the books for substantial gain, being convicted of an embezzlement charge is serious business. A qualified Houston-area embezzlement attorney can help you fight your charges.
Types of Embezzlement
Embezzlement involves the illegal appropriation of property with purposeful intent to deprive or defraud an employer. If an employer suspects that an employee has been stealing company money or property, an investigation is likely to ensue. Any of the following activities could result in a charge of embezzlement:
- Theft of cash
- Unauthorized use of the company’s goods or services
- Transferring funds from a company bank account to a personal account
- Fixing the books or creating ghost records to conceal company income
- Unauthorized transfer of funds or property
- Falsification of documents or concealment of important information
Embezzlement Penalties
The penalties available to punish embezzlers can be harsh. If the defendant is a public employee, the embezzlement charge can be enhanced. The penalties will also vary in accordance with the value of the stolen property and the defendant’s criminal record. The defendant is also likely to be ordered to pay restitution to the employer. Some of the penalties that should be anticipated are listed below:
- Misdemeanor embezzlement (up to $1,499): Up to one year in county jail
- State jail felony ($1,500 to $19,999): Up to two years in state jail
- Third-degree felony ($20,000 to $99,999): Two to 10 years in prison
- Second-degree felony ($100,000 to $199,999): Two to 20 years in prison
- First-degree felony ($200,000 or more): Five to 99 years in prison
Preparing an Effective Defense
Though some embezzlement cases turn out to be honest mistakes in recordkeeping, an experienced white-collar crime attorney possesses the knowledge and skills to mitigate charges and potential penalties. An earnest attempt on the part of a defendant to return the stolen funds or property will prove beneficial. Depending upon the circumstances surrounding the case, defense counsel may also be able to demonstrate a lack of intent on the part of the defendant.
Speak to an Embezzlement Charges Lawyer in Houston, TX
One of the more devastating effects of an embezzlement conviction is the inevitable way that it destroys the professional reputation of the defendant. Most embezzlement cases are complicated and require an extensive review of relevant financial records and practices. An embezzlement charges lawyer knows how to analyze the financial evidence and undermine the prosecution’s case. Whether the embezzlement charge is due to an honest mistake or, there was a serious lapse in judgment, an experienced white-collar crime lawyer can help. For a free case evaluation, speak to Houston attorney Rand Mintzer at 713-862-8880.