A Firm Offering Skilled And Experienced Defense Against Embezzlement Charges
Charges of embezzlement and other white collar crimes can threaten a person’s freedom, career and reputation within the community. If you work in any job that involves access to money, even a misdemeanor embezzlement conviction could make it difficult or impossible to find similar work in the future.
With so much at stake, you shouldn’t trust your defense to just any lawyer. Instead, contact our skilled attorneys at Farese, Farese, & Farese, P.A. Our family-run firm has been a trusted legal resource in North Mississippi and West Tennessee since 1939. As a client, you’ll benefit from our attorneys’ significant courtroom experience and in-depth knowledge of criminal law.
How Embezzlement Differs From Other Types Of Theft
Embezzlement is a theft crime, in that it involves the illegal taking of assets from an individual, business or organization. A theft becomes embezzlement when the person accused of stealing the assets had legal access to them because they were entrusted with monitoring and managing those assets for another party.
An example from the business world would be an employee in accounts payable who finds creative ways to “skim” money off of bills being paid to outside vendors. Embezzlement can also occur between individuals, however, such as a son or daughter stealing funds from an aging parent whom they had guardianship over.
Charges And Sentencing Depend On Value Of Assets Allegedly Stolen
In both Mississippi and Tennessee, embezzlement of assets worth less than $500 is typically charged as a misdemeanor offense. The potential sentence for conviction is up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $2,500 or both.
Theft of assets worth $500 or more is charged as a felony. The specific class of felony and associated sentences change depending on the asset value and other factors. When the value of goods stolen is in the tens of thousands of dollars, defendants can face similarly steep fines and years or even decades in prison.
You May Have More Defense Options Than You Realize
When money goes missing, it’s not always clear how much has been lost. This gives prosecutors room to claim a higher amount and to increase charges accordingly. When you work with our firm, one of our first priorities will be to take a close look at the charges and dispute any dollar figures that may be inflated or otherwise unsupported by evidence.
From there, we will begin mounting a vigorous defense. One of the elements prosecutors must prove is intent to defraud. Did you intend to illegally take assets, or could the actions reasonably be attributed to error or ignorance? The burden of proof is on the government, and we make them work very hard to meet that burden.
Whether your case is resolved through dismissed charges, acquittal or a favorable plea deal, working with an experienced attorney almost always yields better results than defendants could achieve on their own. Before you decide you are out of options, speak to our skilled lawyers.
Contact Us Today For A Free Initial Consultation
Farese, Farese, & Farese has offices in Ashland and Oxford, Mississippi. We offer skilled defense representation to clients in North Mississippi and West Tennessee. If you are facing white collar crime charges and need to understand your rights and legal options, contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. Just call 662-736-1292 or reach out online.