Embezzlement Charges & Penalties

Embezzlement is defined as illegally transferring funds or property from a business for personal use. In an embezzlement case, the perpetrator has been entrusted with the money or property and therefore has legal access to it. Instead of legally managing the funds, the individual may “skim money off of the top” or otherwise take advantage of his or her professional access to acquire the funds for personal gain. This type of theft is most common in corporate settings where an individual may be put in charge of tracking and managing large sums of money as part of his or her job.

Like most white collar crimes, an embezzlement conviction can result in a severe sentence that includes heavy fines, restitution, and incarceration. The sentence ordered by the court varies depending on the individual’s criminal history and the value of the funds or property embezzled. In Florida, embezzling $300 or less is punishable by a maximum $500 fine and a jail sentence or probation. For over $300 of embezzled funds, the defendant may be fined up to $5000 and serve a jail sentence up to 5 years, or 10 years for embezzling public funds.

Most of these cases carry felony charges which can significantly damage your personal and professional life. Embezzlement charges are embarrassing for any professional in the private or public sector and can inflict lifelong damage on your reputation in business dealings.

If you have been charged with embezzlement, consider consulting with a criminal defense lawyer immediately. An experienced attorney will scrutinize all of the evidence brought against you to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and will fight to defend your rights under the law.

Contact Us

For sound legal advice and assistance with preparing your defense against embezzlement charges, contact the experienced West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.