Embezzlement is a specific type of theft (larceny) that involves the unlawful taking of money or funds for personal use. It suggests that you have taken or improperly borrowed from accounts, organizations, or persons you are entrusted to manage on their behalf.
Embezzlement charges often happen as a result of someone facing a desperate financial problem. If you made a terrible mistake at a bad moment in your life, I can help you try to fix it by fighting for least damage and punishment I can work out.
If you are accused of embezzlement in Massachusetts, you are facing a serious criminal offense, and need legal help. Call me today for a free consultation.
Massachusetts Embezzlement Penalties
Generally, embezzlement penalties fall under Massachusetts larceny laws.
Larceny under $250 is a misdemeanor offense, for which you could be sentenced to up to 1 year in jail, and a $300 fine, as well as face probation and associated fees.
Larceny over $250 is a felony level offense, for which you could be sentenced to up to 5 years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines.
A charge of embezzlement can be more complicated than just the larceny/theft aspect. You could also face fraud charges depending on the means by which you are accused of taking the money. If you lied about how you obtained the money, forged documents or signatures, or other offenses, a fraud charge is possible.
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Also, if you are a public official, employed by a town, state or county, who has taken public funds, you could face corruption charges such as embezzlement by a city officer.
Embezzlement Defense Strategies
Defending an embezzlment case can be tricky, since typically the prosecution has a paper trail that leads to you.
But that evidence can be deceptive or non-specific, and it is up to you defense lawyer to poke holes in that evidence, wherever possible. Could the money have been taking by someone else, maybe another employee? Could someone have forged your signature to make it look like you took the money?
Or maybe it was a misunderstanding, and you were sure that you were legally entitled to the money.
Another thing a defense lawyer can do for you, besides fight the case at trial is try to work out a deal. Often, a person or company who has had money taken from them really just wants the money back. So, it may be possible to work out a deal that avoids jail time in exchange for paying the money back, or restitution.
Whatever happen, please give me a call so I can let you know what I can do to try to help you fix this serious problem. Call me for a free legal defense consultation on any Massachusetts embezzlement charge, or related offense.