Fairfax, Virginia Embezzlement Defense Attorneys

Knowledgeable Lawyers Defending Against Embezzlement Charges in Fairfax, VA

A conviction on charges of embezzlement in Virginia can destroy your professional career and burden you with harsh criminal penalties. A criminal defense attorney can help you dispute allegations of misappropriating funds and fight to protect your reputation.

Charges of embezzlement, along with many other white collar crimes, can be complicated to defend against due to the complex laws at play. At Robinson Law, PLLC, our attorneys have decades of shared experience, which allows us to confidently advocate for our clients' rights against allegations of embezzlement and other related offenses. Our commitment to excellent representation has been recognized by numerous publications, including the designation of Super Lawyers for multiple years and Client Champions by Martindale.

What Is Embezzlement?

Under state law, embezzlement is a criminal offense defined as the "wrongful and fraudulent" use of entrusted assets, such as bills, notes, drafts, and other property. Notably, the penalties for embezzlement are exactly the same as larceny, which is sentenced as a misdemeanor or felony depending on how much was allegedly stolen. The sentencing guidelines for an embezzlement (larceny) charge are as follows:

• For fraud valued under $1,000, embezzlement is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of no more than $2,500 and up to a year of jail time.
• For fraud valued at $1,000 or more, embezzlement is charged as a felony, punishable by one to 20 years in state prison and a fine of no more than $2,500.

Along with the criminal penalties, a sentence may order restitution to be paid to the victim.

What Qualifies as Embezzlement?

You do not have to be in a powerful position in a company to commit embezzlement. Examples of embezzlement include:

• Payroll fraud
• Using company funds for personal purchases
• Taking charity funds for personal purposes
• Siphoning money from transactions
• Pocketing money from a cash register

If you are accused of embezzlement, you risk losing your job in addition to any criminal penalties that might apply. With this in mind, it is in your best interests to work with a seasoned criminal defense attorney who can help protect your long-term future.

Defending Against Embezzlement Charges

In a court of law, you are innocent until proven guilty. What this means for an embezzlement charge is that a prosecutor cannot convict you without sufficient evidence that demonstrates that you had the intent to defraud someone else.

There are some circumstances in which people acting in good faith are accused of embezzling funds. For instance, you may have been acting on your employer's instructions or a reasonable interpretation of those instructions. In other cases, you may have made an honest mistake by using a company credit card instead of your own without realizing it, which would not constitute an intent to defraud.

No matter the case, fighting a charge of embezzlement requires a heavily involved defense. At Robinson Law, PLLC, we will do everything in our power to reach the best possible outcome in your case. To accomplish this, we can work with expert witnesses during your defense, such as investigators and financial consultants who can back up your account of what happened. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators with experience getting charges reduced and securing acquittals whenever possible.

Contact a Fairfax Embezzlement Defense Lawyer

Allegations of embezzlement can be disastrous for your reputation, but with a strong defense, you can mitigate the criminal charges. With over 350 5-star reviews to our name, Robinson Law, PLLC can provide you with representation and counsel geared toward protecting your best interests while advocating for a favorable outcome in court. To schedule a free consultation with our firm today, call our offices at 703-844-3746 or reach out to us online.