Accused of Embezzling Money? How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help You?
Posted on: 9 July 2015
If you commit a white collar crime at your place of employment, such as embezzlement, contact a criminal defense attorney right away. Depending on how much money or funds you take from your job, you may face misdemeanor or felony charges, as well as possible time in jail.
Although a criminal defense lawyer may not guarantee that they can get the charges dropped against you, the attorney may be able to find other ways to minimize them. In addition, if you don't fully understand what embezzlement means, you may not consider the seriousness of your charges. Here's what you should understand about embezzlement and what your attorney may do for you.
What's Embezzlement?
Taking property or money from another entity, such as a business, and using it for personal gain is called embezzlement. It's also one of the most common types of white collar crimes in the United States. There are numerous ways you may embezzle property or money.
For instance, it may occur when you cipher or illegally transfer funds from one financial account to personal checking, savings or offshore account. It may occur when you steal equipment, such as laptops and construction tools, from a business and use it for personal gain. Embezzlement may occur when you skim or take small amounts of money from an employer over time.
Before your criminal defense attorney takes your case, they must figure out what type of embezzlement you're accused of committing. If the crime created major financial problems for your former employer, your attorney may need to base their legal strategy around these issues, especially if the employer sues you on top of filing criminal charges.
How Does Embezzlement Harm Your Former Employer?
Ebezzlement and other white collar crimes may create potentially devastating financial problems for them. White collar crimes may bankrupt companies, as well as their owners. Depending on the nature of your embezzlement, your former employer may face issues, such as those mentioned. In this case, the former boss may take you to court to recoup the money they lost because of you.
Your criminal defense lawyer may try to negotiate with the former employer's attorney. For example, your lawyer may ask the former employer's attorney to drop the lawsuit by negotiating a repayment plan for their client. The ex-employer may agree to the repayment plan, or they may choose to pursue you in court.
If the former boss does accept the repayment plan, your criminal defense attorney may need to get it in writing. To do so, the criminal defense attorney may ask the court to sign off on the repayment plan. In addition, your attorney may ask the court to place you on probation until you repay the former employer.
If you don't make the payments on time or complete your probation, you may face further legal ramifications. Your criminal law attorney will discuss every aspect of your case with you, so that you understand what may happen if you don't follow the court's orders.
Can You Leave the State or Move After Receiving Probation for Your Crime?
If you're on probation for your crime, you may need to obtain permission from your probation officer before you travel, even if it's for something important like a family member's funeral. A number of states may require that your probation officer know where you are at all times. In order to leave the state, your probation officer must approve of the trip.
In addition, you must report to your probation officer every time you change home addresses, counties or cities. Your criminal defense attorney may also want to know when you travel or move to another location. It's essential that you stay in touch with the lawyer as much as possible.
If you have concerns about your white collar crime or the possible outcome for it, contact your criminal defense attorney today.
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