Tempe Embezzlement Attorney
Knowingly misappropriating someone else’s property can have severe consequences in Arizona, even for people with no existing criminal records. Additionally, building a strong defense against embezzlement charges can be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. The applicable penalties in your case depend on various mitigating and aggravating factors, making it essential to consult with a seasoned attorney on your specific circumstances.
Seek guidance from a qualified Tempe embezzlement lawyer to better understand the charges against you and effectively enforce your rights. By retaining and working with the team at Grand Canyon Law Group, you can substantially increase your chances of achieving a positive resolution to your case.
For a free legal consultation with an embezzlement lawyer serving Tempe, call 480-400-5555
WHAT IS EMBEZZLEMENT?
Embezzlement involves someone entrusted with taking care of another person’s personal property and then converting that property through fraudulent means or otherwise misusing it for personal gain. The simplest and most common example of an act that qualifies as embezzlement would be someone transferring money owned by their employer into their personal bank account.
However, embezzlement can occur in other corporate and non-economic contexts, such as the following scenarios:
- Altering records to cover up missing funds
- Billing for extra hours
- Overcharging store customers and pocketing the difference
- Not distributing proceeds appropriately after selling property put into a trust
No matter the specific accusations, support from a capable embezzlement attorney is vital to protect a defendant’s rights during an ensuing investigation or criminal trial in Tempe.
Tempe Embezzlement Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555
PENALTIES FOR DIFFERENT AMOUNTS EMBEZZLED
Unlike some states, Arizona does not define embezzlement as a distinct criminal offense from other forms of criminal theft. Instead, prosecutors generally pursue theft charges under Arizona Revised Statutes §13-1802 and seek sanctions upon conviction according to this section of state law.
Embezzlement offenses are generally classified as follows, based on the amount of money or value of property allegedly misappropriated:
- Less than $1,000 – class 1 misdemeanor
- Between $1,000 and $2,500 – class 6 felony
- Between $2,000 and $3,000 – class 5 felony
- Between $3,000 and $4,000 – class 4 felony
- Between $4,000 and $25,000 – class 3 felony
- Over $25,000 – class 2 felony
SENTENCING RANGES FOR EMBEZZLEMENT IN TEMPE
Since theft is classified as a non-dangerous offense in Arizona, sentencing ranges for felony-level embezzlement convictions can range from between four and 24 months for a class 6 charge to between three and 12.5 years for a class 2 offense, depending on mitigating or aggravating factors. However, these sentencing ranges only apply to first-time felony offenders; much higher ranges may be applied to repeat offenders.
At the highest end, someone with two or more past felony convictions charged with class 2 felony embezzlement may face 10.5 to 35 years of imprisonment upon conviction. A knowledgeable lawyer at our Tempe office can further clarify what sanctions a person may face for a particular embezzlement charge.
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WORK WITH A TEMPE EMBEZZLEMENT ATTORNEY
Embezzlement allegations can be difficult to contest effectively, regardless of whether you have an existing criminal record or have never been inside a courtroom before. Seasoned legal guidance can make the difference between getting a positive case result and facing life-altering criminal sanctions.
A Tempe embezzlement lawyer at Grand Canyon Law Group will work tirelessly on your behalf to enforce your rights and advocate for your interests. Call today to learn more.
Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
