Corporate Embezzlement Defense Lawyer

When facing corporate embezzlement charges, your choice of legal representation can significantly impact the outcome of your case. At Candice Fields Law, PC, we provide strategic defense for individuals and executives facing corporate embezzlement allegations. Our corporate embezzlement defense lawyers understand the complexities of white-collar criminal cases and work tirelessly to protect your rights and interests. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your defense options.

What Constitutes Corporate Embezzlement in California?

Corporate embezzlement involves the misappropriation of company funds or assets by an employee, executive, or trusted individual within the organization. These cases often involve complex financial transactions, detailed accounting records, and extensive documentation. As your corporate embezzlement defense lawyer, we analyze every aspect of the allegations to build a strong defense strategy.

How a Corporate Embezzlement Lawyer Will Protect Your Rights

At Candice Fields Law, PC, we understand that facing corporate embezzlement charges can be overwhelming. Our corporate embezzlement defense lawyers work diligently to protect your rights throughout every stage of your case. Here's how we safeguard your interests:

• Immediate Legal Intervention: A corporate embezzlement lawyer begins protecting your rights from the moment you engage our services, preventing self-incrimination and ensuring proper handling of all communications with investigators.
• Constitutional Rights Protection: Our embezzlement defense attorneys vigilantly monitor all investigative procedures to ensure your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination are preserved.
• Evidence Analysis and Challenge: We scrutinize all financial records, audit reports, and documentation to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution's case and challenge improperly obtained evidence.
• Strategic Communications Management: Your corporate embezzlement lawyer manages all communication with prosecutors, investigators, and other parties to prevent potentially damaging statements from being used against you.
• Asset Protection Strategy: Our embezzlement defense attorneys develop comprehensive strategies to protect your assets from civil forfeiture and help maintain your financial stability throughout the legal proceedings.
• Investigation Oversight: Our embezzlement defense team monitors and responds to actions by federal agencies, ensuring compliance with proper investigative procedures and protecting your rights during questioning.
• Documentation Review and Defense: Our California white-collar criminal defense lawyer will meticulously examine all financial records to identify alternative explanations for suspected transactions and build a strong defense narrative.
• Negotiation Representation: Your corporate embezzlement lawyer handles all plea negotiations and settlement discussions, ensuring your interests are protected while seeking the most favorable outcome.
• Professional License Defense: We work to protect your professional licenses and certifications, understanding that your career and future employment opportunities are at stake.
• Trial Rights Protection: Should your case go to trial, we ensure your right to a fair trial is protected through careful jury selection, strategic evidence presentation, and skilled cross-examination.
• Parallel Proceedings Management: Our corporate embezzlement defense team coordinates your defense across both criminal and civil proceedings to maintain consistency and protect your rights in all venues.
• Reputation Management: We implement strategies to minimize damage to your professional reputation while maintaining strict confidentiality throughout the legal process.

Common Corporate Embezzlement Charges in California

At Candice Fields Law, PC, we defend clients against various types of corporate embezzlement charges in California. Our corporate embezzlement defense lawyers understand the nuances of state and federal law and how these charges can impact your future. Here are the most common corporate embezzlement charges our embezzlement attorneys handle in California:

• Penal Code 503 PC - Basic Embezzlement: The foundational embezzlement statute in California that covers fraudulent appropriation of property by someone to whom it was entrusted. This charge often applies to corporate officers and employees who misappropriate company funds.
• Grand Theft by Embezzlement: When the embezzled amount exceeds $950, prosecutors may file grand theft charges under Penal Code 487 PC, carrying more severe penalties and potential state prison time.
• Forgery in Connection with Embezzlement: Under Penal Code 470 PC, creating or altering corporate documents, checks, or financial instruments to facilitate embezzlement can result in additional criminal charges.
• Computer Access Fraud: California Penal Code 502 addresses unauthorized access to corporate computer systems for financial gain, often charged alongside traditional embezzlement offenses.
• Federal Wire Fraud: When corporate embezzlement involves electronic transfers or communications across state lines, federal prosecutors may add wire fraud charges under 18 USC § 1343.
• Mail Fraud Charges: Using postal services in connection with embezzlement schemes can trigger federal mail fraud charges under 18 USC § 1341, requiring defense from a corporate embezzlement lawyer.
• Securities Fraud: Corporate officers facing embezzlement charges may also confront California Corporations Code 25401 violations for securities fraud if the scheme involved manipulating stocks or securities.
• Fiduciary Duty Violations: Beyond criminal charges, corporate embezzlement often involves civil violations of fiduciary duty under California Corporations Code Section 309, requiring comprehensive legal defense.
• Money Laundering: California Penal Code 186.10 PC charges often accompany corporate embezzlement cases when defendants are accused of concealing illegally obtained funds.
• Tax Evasion Charges: Failed reporting of embezzled funds can lead to state tax evasion charges under Revenue and Taxation Code 19706, adding another layer of complexity to your case.
• Conspiracy Charges: When multiple individuals are involved in corporate embezzlement schemes, prosecutors may add conspiracy charges under Penal Code 182 PC, increasing potential penalties.
• RICO Violations: Complex corporate embezzlement schemes may trigger state or federal racketeering charges, requiring aggressive defense from an experienced embezzlement attorney.

Penalties of a Corporate Embezzlement Conviction in California

As your corporate embezzlement attorney, we believe it's crucial for you to understand the potential penalties you may face. Here are the key penalties associated with corporate embezzlement convictions in California:

• Basic Embezzlement Penalties: For amounts under $950, penalties include up to one year in county jail, fines up to $1,000, and formal probation with mandatory restitution requirements.
• Grand Theft Embezzlement Penalties: When the amount exceeds $950, penalties increase to 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison, plus fines up to $10,000 and mandatory restitution.
• Aggravated Sentencing Factors: Cases involving amounts over $65,000 can add one year to the sentence, while amounts over $500,000 may add two years to the base sentence.
• Professional License Consequences: A corporate embezzlement conviction typically triggers automatic suspension or revocation of professional licenses, including CPA, real estate, and legal licenses.
• Federal Sentencing Guidelines: Federal corporate embezzlement convictions follow strict sentencing guidelines based on loss amount, with penalties potentially reaching 20 years per count for significant financial losses.
• Mandatory Restitution: California courts require full restitution to victims, including the embezzled amount plus interest and any consequential damages caused by the embezzlement.
• Civil Asset Forfeiture: Both state and federal authorities can seize assets believed to be connected to embezzlement, including personal property, real estate, and financial accounts.
• Employment Consequences: Corporate embezzlement convictions create permanent criminal records that severely limit future employment opportunities, especially in financial and management positions.
• Immigration Impact: Non-citizen defendants may face deportation or inadmissibility consequences, as corporate embezzlement is considered a crime involving moral turpitude.
• Probation Terms: Even if prison time is avoided, probation conditions typically include rigorous financial monitoring, employment restrictions, and regular reporting requirements.
• Multiple Count Implications: When charged with multiple counts of embezzlement, sentences may run consecutively, significantly increasing total prison time and financial penalties.
• Enhanced Penalties for Prior Convictions: Previous theft-related convictions can trigger sentence enhancements, potentially doubling the base sentence under California's repeat offender laws.

What To Do If Charged with Corporate Embezzlement in California

At Candice Fields Law, PC, our corporate embezzlement defense lawyers understand that being charged with embezzlement can be overwhelming. As your potential embezzlement attorney, we recommend taking these crucial steps immediately after being charged with corporate embezzlement in California:

• Maintain Complete Silence: Exercise your right to remain silent and avoid discussing the case with anyone, including colleagues, friends, or family members, as these conversations aren't privileged and could be used against you.
• Secure Legal Representation: Contact a corporate embezzlement defense lawyer immediately before speaking with investigators or prosecutors, as early intervention can significantly impact your case's outcome.
• Preserve Documents: Carefully gather and secure all relevant financial records, emails, communications, and documents related to your position and the alleged embezzlement, but do not remove anything from company premises.
• Avoid Digital Communications: Refrain from discussing the case through email, text messages, or social media, as digital communications can be discovered and used as evidence by prosecutors.
• Document Access Review: Work with your corporate embezzlement lawyer to document and track your level of access to financial systems and records during the period in question.
• Employment Considerations: Consult your embezzlement attorney before making any decisions about resignation or responding to employment actions, as these decisions can impact your criminal case.
• Financial Account Protection: Secure your personal financial accounts and records, but do not transfer or conceal assets, as this could lead to additional criminal charges.
• Professional License Protection: Notify your corporate embezzlement defense lawyer about any professional licenses you hold, as immediate action may be needed to protect them.
• Witness List Creation: Create a comprehensive list of potential witnesses who might have relevant information about your job duties and financial responsibilities.
• Investigation Cooperation Protocol: Allow your embezzlement attorney to establish proper protocols for any cooperation with internal or external investigations.
• Personal Device Security: Secure but do not destroy any personal devices that may contain work-related information, as destruction of evidence carries severe penalties.
• Travel Restrictions: Consult your corporate embezzlement lawyer before making any travel plans, as charges may affect your ability to leave the jurisdiction.

Protect Your Rights - Schedule a Confidential Consultation

When facing corporate embezzlement charges, every moment matters. Our corporate embezzlement defense lawyers at Candice Fields Law, PC stand ready to protect your rights and future. Contact us today for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and explore your defense options.