Facing charges of embezzlement can affect your future ability to get employment and your future ability to come and go as you please. This is a serious offense with serious repercussions. If you are being accused of embezzlement, you need an aggressive defense attorney on your side, willing to go to bat for you, and wade through some complicated financial evidence to put together your best possible defense.
I’ve handled many cases involving embezzlement and employee theft. I know the tricks prosecutors use in cases like these and I know the best ways to ensure good results on your case.
I am interested in learning more about your charges and why they came about. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding between you and your boss. Maybe, however, you made a mistake and now want to make things right.
Either way, we can help.
What is Embezzlement?
Under Texas law, embezzlement is essentially employee theft.
Whether you work the register at a store in the mall or oversee the accounts of a large corporation, you are put in a position of trust to handle your employer’s money and goods. When an employer suspects you are taking advantage of this trust, they may investigate you.
If the allegations of financial theft are shown to be likely, you could face charges of embezzlement.
Technically, the charge of embezzlement involves the appropriation of property with the intent to defraud or deprive.
There are several ways you could be caught up in an embezzlement case.
- Outright theft of cash from your employer
- Theft of goods or services from your employer
- Transfer of funds from a company account into your personal account
- Doctoring or “fixing” books to conceal income to your employer
When you face charges like these, it can be hard to prove your innocence. Often, employers are hurt not only due to financial loss but also because of the loss of trust and the betrayal.
Oftentimes, with skillful negotiations, we can work together to keep the case from going to trial.
Potential Penalties for Embezzlement in Texas
If you are found guilty of embezzlement, you could face fairly harsh penalties dependent on the amount of money or value of goods in question. This chart represents some of the approximate penalties you could be facing.
Value of offense | Potential Charge |
| Up to $1,500 | Misdemeanor Charge, up to 1 year in jail |
| $1,500 to $20,000 | State Jail Felony, up to 2 years in state jail |
| $20,000 to $100,000 | 3rd Degree Felony, 2 to 10 years in prison |
| $100,000 to $200,000 | 2nd Degree Felony, 2 to 20 years in state prison |
| More than $200,000 | 1st Degree Felony, 5 to 99 years in state prison |
If you are considered a “public servant” in your capacity as an employee when the situation happened, the charge you face will be enhanced. You will face the next higher category of offense.
Criminal Defense Consultation on Embezzlement Charges
Facing embezzlement charges in Texas is no small matter. In addition to the prison time, you will be ordered to pay fines and likely be required to pay restitution to your former employer if convicted.
Having an attorney experienced in white collar crimes like this is crucial. Call our experienced defense attorneys as soon as possible to arrange a free consultation on your case.
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