New Castle Legal Support for Embezzlement Charges

Helping New Castle Residents Face Accusations of Financial Misconduct

When most people think of embezzlement, they imagine intricate schemes to siphon large sums of money from major corporations. However, embezzlement can happen on a much smaller scale and still carry significant legal consequences in New Castle. A conviction can lead to jail time, hefty fines, and other serious penalties that have a lasting impact on your life.

Are you currently dealing with allegations of embezzlement? The skilled defense team at Youngstown Criminal Law Group specializes in financial crimes and is ready to handle your case. We offer strong representation at every stage of the legal process, ensuring your rights are defended. Contact us today at (330) 992-3036 or reach out online to see how New Castle criminal lawyers can help you fight embezzlement charges in New Castle.

Understanding the Offense of Embezzlement

While embezzlement is a type of theft, it has specific elements that set it apart from typical theft crimes. It involves the wrongful taking of property or money by someone who was granted legitimate access or temporary control over those assets, but did so without the owner’s permission. A New Castle criminal lawyer can help you understand the nuances of your specific case.

To prove an embezzlement charge, the prosecution must show:

• The legal owner gave you a certain level of authority over assets, property, or valuables for their benefit.
• You did not have legal ownership or rights to the money or assets.
• You took the assets or money for your own personal use.

Examples of embezzlement can be as simple as a retail worker taking cash from a register or as complex as altering overtime records, changing payroll documents, or creating fake billing schemes. Involvement in Ponzi schemes is also often categorized as embezzlement. A New Castle DUI lawyer with experience in financial crime defense can guide you through the legal process and help protect your rights.

The Consequences of an Embezzlement Conviction

If you are found guilty of embezzlement, you could face a range of legal penalties and other negative consequences. In Ohio, embezzlement is treated as a form of theft, and the penalties usually depend on the value of the stolen assets. When deciding on a sentence, judges might also consider the defendant’s prior criminal history, if any.

Certain aggravating factors can affect the severity of the sentence in embezzlement cases. For example, if the victim is elderly, disabled, an active-duty military member, or a military spouse, the judge may decide to impose a stricter penalty.

Potential penalties based on the value of the stolen property are:

• Property under $50: A summary offense, which may include up to 90 days in jail and/or a $300 fine.
• Property from $50 to $200: A third-degree misdemeanor, with up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $2,500.
• Property from $200 to $2,000: A second-degree misdemeanor, carrying up to two years in jail and/or fines up to $5,000.
• Property valued at $2,000 or more, or if the item is a firearm or vehicle: A third-degree felony, which could result in up to seven years in prison and/or fines up to $15,000.

In case of a conviction in New Castle, a New Castle criminal lawyer from Youngstown Criminal Law Group can represent you at your sentencing hearing to argue for the most lenient outcome possible.

Navigating Embezzlement Charges in New Castle

Facing embezzlement accusations can be an overwhelming experience. However, a strong defense strategy during your trial could lead to the charges being reduced or even dismissed by the judge. In New Castle, several defense strategies are often used to challenge embezzlement charges:

• Lack of Intent: Arguing that you did not intend to commit embezzlement or any theft-related crime when the alleged act occurred.
• Good Faith Belief: Claiming you genuinely believed you were the rightful owner of the property or funds based on previous conversations or actions.
• Duress: Proving that you committed the act under the threat of serious physical harm or death if you did not comply.
• Entrapment: Showing that law enforcement used improper coercion or pressure to make you commit the crime.
• Constitutional Rights Violations: Arguing that your rights were violated during the investigation, such as your Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures or your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

A knowledgeable New Castle DUI lawyer can also assist if related charges arise during your case.

Consult with a New Castle Lawyer Specializing in Defense Against Embezzlement

The consequences of an embezzlement conviction in New Castle are severe and can have long-lasting effects on your life. If you are facing such allegations, it is essential to get help from an experienced New Castle DUI lawyer right away.

The legal team at Youngstown Criminal Law Group understands the gravity of embezzlement cases and knows that your freedom could be on the line. Our dedicated legal professionals are committed to helping you make informed decisions and will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you. For a comprehensive, free case review and legal consultation with a New Castle criminal lawyer, call us at (330) 992-3036 or contact us online to learn how we can support you.