Embezzlement is one of the most serious types of white-collar crimes in Dayton, OH. If you are arrested and charged with embezzlement, you need to hire a Dayton embezzlement lawyer to defend you.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers has more than 100 years of combined experience handling criminal cases. Our legal team is made up of former prosecutors, police officers, and career defense attorneys. We have helped many people fight against financial crimes, including embezzlement.
Contact our office at (937) 531-0435 to schedule a free consultation and get started on your case with a Dayton embezzlement attorney.
Table of Contents
How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Arrested For Embezzlement
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers will handle your embezzlement case from beginning to end. Our team will represent you at every court hearing and help identify the strongest defense for your case.
Our lawyers are nationally recognized as National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers. We also have a 10.0 Avvo rating from our clients. If you hire us to represent you, we will:
- Explain embezzlement charges
- Outline the criminal court process
- File bond motions
- Review discovery
- Communicate with the prosecutor on your behalf
- Negotiate for dismissed or reduced charges
- File pretrial motions
- Argue your case at trial
- Fight for a lenient sentence
Call our office today to start working with a Dayton criminal defense attorney.
Overview Of Embezzlement In Dayton
Embezzlement is a white-collar financial crime. Embezzlement happens when someone exerts control over another’s property or services:
- Without consent
- Beyond the scope of consent
- By deception
- By threat
- By intimidation
The most common embezzlement scenario is an employee who uses an employer’s funds or services for their benefit. For example, using a company airplane for vacation or a company credit card for personal expenses.
What Is The Penalty For Embezzlement In Dayton, OH?
Embezzlement can be either a misdemeanor or a felony. The classification and penalty depend on the amount of money embezzled.
If the amount is under $1,000, then it is a first-degree misdemeanor. The penalty is up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the amount is $1,000 – $7,500, then it is a fifth-degree felony. You could go to jail for 6-12 months and have a fine of up to $2,000. Embezzling $7,500 – $150,000 is a fourth-degree felony carrying 6 – 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
An amount between $150,000 – $750,000 is a third-degree felony. You could receive 9 months to 3 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the amount is $750,000 – $1,500,000, it is a second-degree felony carrying 2-8 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Anything above $1,500,000 is a first-degree felony and the most serious form of embezzlement. It carries 3-155 years in prison as a $20,000 fine.
In addition to a jail or prison sentence and fine, you will also be ordered to pay restitution. This means paying back the money that was embezzled. Furthermore, you could have a probationary sentence upon your release and experience other collateral consequences from the conviction. Collateral consequences could include difficulty finding future employment, loss of certain rights, and social stigma.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I Am Arrested For Embezzlement?
Luckily, there are many defenses that you can raise if you are charged with embezzlement. You may have a complete or partial defense.
A complete defense means that you are not guilty of the charge and can walk free. A partial defense means that the charge should be reduced to something less serious, or certain evidence should be excluded.
Some of the most common defenses to embezzlement are:
- Lack of intent to permanently deprive
- False allegations
- Insufficient evidence
- Constitutional due process violations
- Coercion or duress
- Procedural violations
Since embezzlement charges become more serious the more money that is embezzled, proving the amount is a critical element. If the prosecutor cannot prove the exact amount that was embezzled, this could be a partial defense. As a result, the charge could be reduced to something less serious.
A Dayton embezzlement lawyer will help you identify the best defense in your case. You could have multiple defenses available to use. Your lawyer will work diligently to defend you through motions, during negotiations, and at trial.
Schedule A Free Case Evaluation With A Dayton Embezzlement Lawyer
The most important thing that you can do is schedule a free case evaluation with a Dayton embezzlement lawyer at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers.
This meeting will mark the beginning of your representation. We will provide details about the embezzlement charges and the criminal court process. This information will help you know what to expect. As soon as we meet, our attorneys can start building a defense so that you can avoid a conviction.
