If you have been charged with embezzlement in Texas, you may wonder what type of penalties you could face. Embezzlement is a serious crime with significant penalties. The specific penalties you will face depend on the value of the allegedly embezzled assets. If you have been charged with embezzlement, one of the most important things you can do is discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight the charges assertively on your behalf.
What is Embezzlement?
The crime of embezzlement involves appropriating another person’s property with the intent to deprive them of it or defraud them. Many embezzlement cases involve employees stealing cash from the cash register or using more complicated schemes to skim money from their employer’s accounts. Fixing the accounting books to conceal income from an employer and take that income personally is an example of embezzlement.
Penalties for an Embezzlement Conviction in Texas
The penalties for embezzlement depend on the amount of money or goods the defendant allegedly embezzled. The higher the value of the allegedly embezzled goods, the more severe the penalties. When determining which penalties to impose, courts will evaluate the fair market value of the assets or goods that have been stolen. The penalties for embezzlement are as follows:
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Up to $100: $500: fine for a Cass C misdemeanor charge
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$100 – $750: Class B misdemeanor charges with a jail sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to $2,000
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$750 – $2,500: Class A misdemeanor charge that carries fines of up to $4,000 and a jail sentence of up to one year
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$2,500 – $30,000: Defendants face a felony charge with a jail sentence between six months to two years in state jail with fines of up to $10,000
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$30,000 to $150,000: Third-degree felony charges with a penalty between two and 10 years in state prison and fines of up to $10,000
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$150,000 to $300,000: Second-degree felony charges with fines up to $10,000 and a jail sentence between two and 20 years
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$300,000 and more: Fines of up to $10,000 and two to 99 years in prison
Aggravating factors can increase the penalty for embezzlement. For example, if a defendant were a public servant when the alleged embezzlement occurred, they would face higher penalties. If the defendant allegedly embezzled money from an elderly person or a charitable organization, they will also face harsher penalties.
Charged with Embezzlement? We Can Help
Have you been charged with embezzlement? It is crucial that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. Proving your innocence may be challenging. The sooner you reach out to a criminal defense attorney, the sooner your attorney can begin investigating your case and developing an effective legal defense strategy. Your employer may be willing to drop the charges against you if you negotiate a resolution with the help of your attorney. Contact the skilled criminal defense attorneys at Abel Law Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about your options.