Charges for a crime such as embezzlement could lead to strict legal penalties. If the courts in Arizona convict you of embezzling money or assets from an employer, client, or someone else, you could face fines and jail time. At AZ Defenders, we represent clients who are facing embezzlement charges. Contact us if you are a defendant in this type of criminal case. An experienced Phoenix embezzlement lawyer at our law firm can defend your rights against accusations that have the power to affect you for life.

Embezzlement Attorney Phoenix

Why Hire AZ Defenders to Defend Your Embezzlement Charge?

  • We fight on behalf of clients using aggressive and smart legal strategies.
  • We have built a reputation in the Phoenix community for how we conduct business.
  • We know how to negotiate cases out of court as well as represent clients at trial.
  • We take a personal approach to law and are always there when our clients need us.
  • We have years of experience in embezzlement defense law in Arizona.

What Is Embezzlement?

Embezzlement is a financial crime in which a person entrusted with the property of another steals or uses it with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. It is not the same crime as fraud or larceny. With embezzlement, the person has permission to handle the assets in question but wrongfully misuses this responsibility to take or control the property for personal gain. Examples of embezzlement include stealing money from an employer, borrowing from a cash register, depositing work-related checks into a personal account, stealing office supplies, adding a fake employee to payroll, and accepting bribes. To learn more about what qualified as embezzlement, speak with a knowledgeable Phoenix white collar crime lawyer.

Penalties for Embezzlement in Arizona

To prove embezzlement, the prosecution must show enough evidence to convince the jury the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In Arizona, the definition of embezzlement requires a prosecutor to establish three main elements: the defendant had lawful possession of the property, used or took the property for the defendant’s own use, and had no intention of giving the property back. A guilty verdict could result in severe penalties so speak with a qualified Phoenix embezzlement lawyer as soon as possible following a charge.

  • Class 2 felony. Embezzling $25,000 or more. Maximum fine of $1,000 and/or 4 to 12.5 years in jail.
  • Class 3 felony. Embezzling $4,000 to $25,000. Maximum fine of $1,000 and/or 2.5 to 8.75 years in jail.
  • Class 4 felony. Embezzling $3,000 to $4,000 or stealing a vehicle engine or transmission. Maximum fine of $1,000 and/or 18 months to 3.75 years in jail.
  • Class 5 felony. Embezzling $2,000 to $3,000. Maximum fine of $1,000 and/or 9 months to 1.5 years in jail.
  • Class 6 felony. Embezzling $1,000 to $2,500 or stealing a firearm or animal for animal fighting. Maximum fine of $1,000 and/or six months to one year in jail.
  • Class 1 misdemeanor. Embezzling $1,000 or less. Maximum fine of $2,500, three years of probation and/or maximum jail time of six months.

It is critical to hire the right Phoenix criminal defense attorney to help you fight against embezzlement charges in Arizona. Otherwise, the courts could serve a sentence against you that drastically changes your life. Increase your chances of minimizing your sentence or avoiding a conviction by working with AZ Defenders.

Defenses to Embezzlement

AZ Defenders excels during criminal trials by using proven defense strategies specifically tailored for each unique client. During an embezzlement case, common defenses include lack of fiduciary duty, insufficient evidence, duress, entrapment, lack of intent, incapacity and wrong defendant. The right embezzlement lawyer in Phoenix could save you from facing the worst possible penalties for the crime of embezzlement.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Phoenix Embezzlement Attorney

At AZ Defenders, our attorneys have the skill and knowledge to create strong defenses for all types of financial crimes. Schedule a free consultation with our defense lawyers today if you are facing embezzlement charges in Arizona. Contact us online or call (480) 456-6400 24/7 to get in touch with a skilled embezzlement lawyer in Phoenix.

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