At Perlman & Cohen Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers, our Los Angeles embezzlement attorney team knows how scary these charges can be. When you face embezzlement charges in Los Angeles, you need strong legal help fast. We're here to protect your rights and fight for your future.
These charges can ruin your life. Your job, your freedom, and your reputation are all at risk. Our Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer team starts working right away to build your defense.
We've spent years defending clients in Los Angeles County against theft crimes. Our criminal defense attorneys know the local courts and prosecutors. We use this knowledge to help you win your case.
At Perlman & Cohen, we give each client personal attention. We work hard to find problems with the prosecution's evidence. Whether you face employee theft charges or other criminal charges, we stand with you.
Our team knows what the Los Angeles County prosecutor will try. We use proven strategies to create reasonable doubt. Your freedom matters to us, and we fight hard to protect it.
Embezzlement occurs when someone steals property that they were entrusted with. It's not like regular theft. In embezzlement, you had legal access to the property first. The crime happens when you take it for your benefit.
This criminal offense often happens at work. Employees might take company funds from bank accounts they manage. But embezzlement can happen anywhere trust exists. The key is that someone gave you their property to hold or manage.
Many people don't know they've committed embezzlement. Even if you plan to pay money back, you can still face charges. The law looks at whether you took property for your own benefit without permission.
California Penal Code Section 503 makes embezzlement a crime. The law covers many situations — from petty theft to major financial crimes. California treats this white collar crime seriously, with penalties based on how much was taken.
Understanding this law helps build your defense. The prosecution must prove every part of its case. Our criminal defense lawyer team looks for weak spots in their evidence. We find ways to challenge their claims and protect you.
Prosecutors must prove four things for an embezzlement conviction:
Each element must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. If prosecutors can't prove even one part, you should win. We focus on creating doubt about each element. Your intent often becomes the hardest thing for them to prove.
The Los Angeles County prosecutor uses financial records as the main evidence. They check:
They also get witness statements from coworkers. The prosecution's case often relies on patterns, not just one incident. They try to show you that you took the property over time. Our defense attorney team examines all this evidence for problems.
Embezzlement can be either a misdemeanor or a felony. The value of the property involved matters most. Your criminal history also affects charges. The court looks at your relationship with the alleged victim, too.
Having a good Los Angeles embezzlement lawyer makes a huge difference. We work to reduce charges and minimize penalties. Let's look at what you might face without strong legal defenses.
Misdemeanor embezzlement applies when:
Misdemeanor charges mean up to one year in Los Angeles County jail. But felony embezzlement is more serious. It applies when:
A misdemeanor offense seems minor compared to felony charges. Felony embezzlement means up to three years in California state prison.
For misdemeanor embezzlement:
For felony embezzlement convictions:
Our Los Angeles embezzlement defense starts immediately. We investigate every detail of your case. Our team finds weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence. We know how to challenge their claims effectively.
Early action often prevents charges. We might negotiate restitution before charges are filed. If charges come, we push for favorable plea agreements. When trials happen, we present strong legal defenses.
Working with experienced lawyers improves your chances dramatically. We protect your rights at every step. Contact our law office for a free consultation today. The sooner we start, the better we can help.
Several legal defenses work well against these serious charges:
Lack of intent: We argue you didn't mean to steal. Maybe you thought you had permission, or you planned to return the property. Without criminal intent, there's no crime.
Insufficient evidence: The prosecution's evidence might be weak. Financial records could be missing. Witnesses might contradict each other. We use these problems to create reasonable doubt.
Good faith belief: You might have believed the property was yours. Or that you could use it. This defense challenges the fraudulent appropriation element.
False accusations: Sometimes people lie about embezzlement. They might want revenge or have other motives. We investigate accusers carefully.
A criminal defense attorney protects you throughout the case. We handle everything from investigation to trial. During pre-filing, we try to stop charges completely. Once charged, we manage all court proceedings.
We file motions to dismiss illegally obtained evidence. We negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges. If a trial comes, we're ready to fight. Throughout, we explain your legal options clearly.
Our goal is the best result possible. That might mean dismissal, acquittal, or reduced penalties. We keep you informed and help you make smart decisions.
Beyond embezzlement, other laws might apply to your case. Understanding related charges helps build better defenses. Prosecutors often file multiple charges from one incident. Our criminal defense team handles all charges together.
Petty theft (PC 484) and grand theft (PC 487) are similar crimes. The difference is how you got the property. Regular theft means taking without permission. Embezzlement means betraying trust.
Fraud charges often come with embezzlement. These might include check or credit card fraud. Each charge increases potential penalties. We defend against all charges with consistent strategies.
Some factors make embezzlement worse:
These factors can turn misdemeanor charges into felonies. They also increase prison sentences significantly.
Most theft crimes follow similar court processes. After arrest, you'll have an arraignment within 48 hours. The judge reads charges and sets bail. Then comes the discovery phase, where evidence gets shared.
Preliminary hearings let judges review evidence in felony cases. Most cases end with plea deals, not trials. But we prepare every case for trial. This preparation strengthens our negotiating position.
The whole process takes several months, typically. Complex cases might take longer. Having good lawyers speeds things up and improves outcomes.
Embezzlement happens when you steal property you were entrusted with. Regular theft means taking property without any permission at all.
Yes, charges can be dropped if the evidence is weak or witnesses are unavailable. Early restitution also helps get charges dismissed.
Jail time depends on the amount stolen and your criminal history. First-time offenders often get probation instead of jail.
Yes, returning property doesn't stop criminal charges. But early repayment helps during negotiations.
Prosecutors use bank statements, financial records, and witness testimony. They also use emails, security footage, and transaction histories.
Yes, embezzlement laws are complex. Having a criminal defense attorney greatly improves your chances of avoiding conviction.
Don't face the criminal justice system alone. Our Los Angeles embezzlement attorney team at Perlman & Cohen offers free consultations to help you understand the prosecution's claims. We carefully review the property embezzled and how it was legally possessed. Whether the defendant intended to take the property unlawfully is a key issue we address when presenting evidence. Time is critical in these cases, so call our law office today to start building your defense and protect your future. We're ready to fight for you.
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