If you have been charged with Embezzlement in Orange County for fraudulently appropriating property that was entrusted to you, you should contact The Atias Law Firm. Our law firm works with a team of professionals on the matter and knows how to handle these particular kinds of Embezzlement charges. In Orange County, Embezzlement is a wobbler so it is divided into two degrees, Felony Embezzlement and Misdemeanor Embezzlement. Embezzlement is usually committed when someone fraudulently appropriates property that was entrusted to them. 

Embezzlement Orange County Penal Code 503

First, let the top Embezzlement Lawyers in Orange County give you the relevant law. The relevant portion of the law that is applicable to Embezzlement in Orange County is summarized below. However, the full text of the Embezzlement laws in Orange County can be found in California Penal Code Section 503. To prove that the defendant is guilty of Embezzlement, the Prosecutor must prove that:

• An owner entrusted his property to the defendant;
• The owner did so because he trusted the defendant;
• The defendant fraudulently converted or used that property for his own benefit; AND
• When the defendant converted or used the property, he intended to deprive the owner of its use.

The Embezzlement laws in Orange County can be confusing to a defendant charged with a crime. The attorneys at The Atias Law Firm knows the ins and outs of these particular criminal charges and we may be able to help you get your case dismissed or lowered to a lesser offense, such as Petty Theft, or another non-theft misdemeanor charge.

Reducing an Embezzlement Charge in Orange County

Circumstances may allow the Prosecutor to charge you with Misdemeanor Embezzlement, rather than Felony Embezzlement. These circumstances include that the amount embezzled was less than $950. Our attorneys may be able to show that your Felony Embezzlement charge should be reduced to a Misdemeanor Embezzlement charge. Call today for a free and confidential initial consultation. We can go over the facts of your case and help you understand the possible outcomes, and possible strategies for successfully getting your case reduced or dismissed. Attorneys at The Atias Law Firm will aggressively challenge the facts of the case. We may be able to get an Investigator to obtain contradictory statements from witnesses. If we can convince the court that the witnesses are not credible, your Embezzlement charges may be reduced to Disturbing the Peace or Misdemeanor Embezzlement and you could avoid jail or prison. Our Embezzlement Lawyers in Orange County aggressively challenge any valuation of the property. If we can convince the court that the property is valued at less than $950, your Felony Embezzlement charges may be reduced to a Misdemeanor Embezzlement and you will avoid prison.

Will I Go To Jail?

Possibilities & Penalties for Embezzlement Charges in Orange County

Embezzlement is generally a wobbler, meaning that it can usually be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Misdemeanor Embezzlement is punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Felony Embezzlement may result in a sentence ranging between 16 months and three years in state prison and a thousands of dollars in fines. As detailed below, your case may be reduced to a lower crime, or your case may be dismissed.

Embezzlement Defenses in Orange County

Our Embezzlement lawyers in Orange County knows the defenses that may help get your Embezzlement charge dismissed. There are a number of defenses to Embezzlement in Orange County, however the applicability of those defenses depends on the facts of your case. For example, as you can see above, the Prosecutor has a lot to prove. We may be able to show that any number of the requirements of the law aren’t met. For instance, we may be able to show that, although you took someone’s property, you did not have the intent to permanently keep the property. Also, we may be able to show that you did not intend to defraud the owner of the property, or that you had a good faith belief in your right to the property. In that case the charges against you should be dismissed.

If the facts are against you, and your record is relatively clean, then you may be able to get a Deferred Entry of Judgment or DEJ. If you get a DEJ then you will be allowed to attend a class and pay a small fine in exchange for a dismissal of your case. We may be able to get a civil compromise by talking to the victim. A civil compromise will result in you paying the victim for the property taken, and the criminal case against you will be dismissed. Also, we may be able to fight the prosecution’s valuation of the property. If we can show the property is worth less than $950 then the court will reduce the case to a misdemeanor. Another common defense is that the police did something wrong while investigating your case. For instance, if the Officer who stopped you did not have reasonable suspicion to stop and detain you then our attorneys may be able to get your case dismissed. Also, if you were detained by Officers who used an unreasonable amount of force then that may be a defense in your case. Also, if you have been charged with multiple counts of Embezzlement, we may be able to get all of your charges consolidated into one charge, with one penalty.

How Can Embezzlement Charges Be Reduced?

When the prosecution case is strong, sometimes the best tactic is to try to work out a plea deal with the Prosecutor. Our attorneys may be able to help you get your Embezzlement charge reduced to a lesser charge. We may be able to get your Embezzlement charge, and the penalties reduced to those penalties associated with Petty Theft or Misdemeanor Embezzlement.

What Happens If I Have a Prior Conviction?

If you have prior convictions for Embezzlement, then you may face increased penalties in your current Embezzlement case. The Atias Law Firm aggressively challenges any prior convictions. For instance, if your prior Embezzlement conviction occurred more than 10 years ago, or if it occurred in another state, then we may be able to get those prior convictions stricken. If we can successfully strike your prior convictions, then you will only face 1st time Embezzlement penalties. Call Embezzlement lawyers Orange County today to see how your prior convictions may impact your current Embezzlement charge.

What Should I do about a Embezzlement charge in Orange County?

Contact The Atias Law Firm today for a free and confidential consultation regarding your case. We will look at your personal history and the facts surrounding the charges against you, and then we can discuss possible outcomes with you at no cost.