Orange County Embezzlement Defense Lawyers

Please note that the Law Office of Michael Guisti is a Criminal Defense Firm and we do not represent Victims of Fraud. We represent those who have been arrested for or charged with a Fraud Crime.

What You Need to Know After an Embezzlement Arrest - CA Penal Code § 503

If you're being accused by your employer or law enforcement of embezzlement, you must understand this is a serious criminal charge that can result in many years in prison. Just as damaging, criminal charges of this nature can ruin your professional reputation that you spent so many years building. With this in mind, it is crucial for you to contact the Orange County fraud defense attorneys at Law Office of Michael L. Guisti at (714) 530-9690 right away so we can defend you from these serious charges and protect your reputation.

Back to Top

When Should I Get an OC Embezzlement Lawyer?

As is the case with other white collar crimes, embezzlement suspects often know when they are being investigated long before any formal charges are made. As such, if you know or have a very good feeling that you are being investigated, you need to retain our services right away. The earlier we get involved, the better we can represent and defend you. Our Orange County white collar attorneys understand the seriousness of a charge like embezzlement and the affects it could have on your reputation.

Back to Top

Understanding the Crime of Embezzlement

California Penal Code § 503 states that embezzlement occurs when the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted has been used for personal gain without that person's or business' knowledge. Under California law, embezzlement is no longer a crime in and of itself; rather, it is now covered under California's laws for grand and petty theft. As such, embezzlement can be charged as petty theft, grand theft, and even include charges such as forgery or federal charges like bank fraud.

Grand theft, as defined by PC § 487, occurs when the amount of property taken is over $950; in many embezzlement cases, this is charged as a felony. Petty theft is when you take property valued under $950, according to PC § 484. In many embezzlement cases, the prosecutor will try to charge you for each separate time that you allegedly embezzled the property. For example, if you embezzled $1,000 a day for 5-days, the prosecutor would seek to charge you with 5 counts of grand theft embezzlement.

This is why it is crucial to contact our professional Orange County white collar crime attorney. We can show the prosecution and judge that there was one crime committed over a period of time.

Back to Top

Who Can Be Charged With Embezzlement?

Embezzlement is the act of wrongfully appropriating funds or property that has been entrusted to a person by a business. Therefore, anyone who is employed by a business to look over funds and/or property can be charged if he/she wrongfully appropriated those funds for their own personal gain.

Embezzlement is most commonly committed by a company, employee, or employer. It is not surprising many times embezzlement involves a high level corporate official such as the following:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
• Non-Profit Organization Officer
• Church Leader
• Political Figure
• Business Manager
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Investment Broker
• Real Estate Broker
• Accountant

Embezzlement can encompass any professional, such as doctors, business owners, or any individual with access to and control of another's business assets or interests—no matter how large or small the business.

Back to Top

Contact Law Office of Michael L. Guisti Today

With more than a decade of experience, Law Office of Michael L. Guisti knows that early preparation can increase your chances of a favorable outcome—including the possibility of charges being dropped. Please call us at (714) 530-9690 to set up an appointment with our skilled Orange County attorney for a confidential consultation. From the moment we first meet, our goal is to win your case. We never settle for less. Call today!

Back to Top

Additional Information

• Former Garden Grove Woman Avoids Seven-Year Sentence
• Orange County White Collar Crimes – Embezzlement