Experienced Embezzlement Attorney in Redwood City
California Embezzlement Defense Lawyer
Embezzlement charges are more common than many people realize. In California, this crime includes any theft or appropriation of property by someone who has been trusted to protect it. Depending on the value of the embezzled property, this charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony. If you have been charged with embezzlement, you should contact the Law Offices of M. Gabriela Guraiib in Redwood City.
A conviction for this charge can change your life forever. Beyond criminal penalties such as a jail sentence, fines, or mandatory restitution, this conviction can also permanently impact your ability to find work in your field. It may also bar you from maintaining necessary licenses or professional memberships.
If you have been accused of embezzling funds, don’t hesitate. Call 650-227-9132 or reach out online to discuss your case with the expert theft attorney at the Law Offices of M. Gabriela Guraiib.
What Counts as Embezzlement in California?
Embezzlement is considered a type of theft. Under Penal Code 503 PC, California defines it as “the fraudulent appropriation of property by someone to whom it has been entrusted.” This is much broader than the popular understanding of embezzling as something that happens in big businesses. It covers a wide variety of circumstances, such as:
- An investment broker depositing a client’s funds in their own accounts.
- A Parent-Teacher Association member taking funds from a charity event for themselves.
- A bank teller keeping cash instead of depositing it for customers.
- Waitstaff taking funds from diners instead of delivering them to the cash register.
Any time someone uses funds or property they were supposed to protect for someone else and uses them for their own gain is an example of embezzling. If the total amount embezzled was less than $950, the crime is a misdemeanor; otherwise, it’s a felony charge.
The penalties for this crime depend on how it’s charged. As a misdemeanor conviction, it carries penalties of up to six months in jail. A conviction for embezzling public funds at either level will make you ineligible to hold public office or other government positions in California.
Felony embezzlement is more serious. For embezzled amounts of more than $950, the penalty can be up to 3 years in jail and an order to return the stolen funds. Furthermore, embezzling more than $100,000 can lead to the “white collar” enhancement, which would add fines and an additional five years of jail time. Caretakers of elderly or disabled people can also be charged with aggravated embezzlement, which could increase the penalties of the crime.
Defend Yourself Against Embezzlement Charges with Expert Defense Attorneys
Embezzlement is a serious accusation that deserves a serious response. As soon as you learn that you’re being accused, you should reach out to the Redwood City expert theft crimes defense attorney at the Law Offices of M. Gabriela Guraiib. We will help you understand your situation, evaluate your case, and build a defense to help you stand up against these charges in court.
