Embezzlement Lawyers in Houston, Texas

Embezzlement is the theft of money or property by an employee from an employer, or by an entrusted person who was charged with holding or managing funds.

Embezzlement, or wrongfully using another person’s money or property for personal gain, has elements of both fraud and theft and can be observed as such by our Texas laws.

When the District Attorney’s office determines whether embezzlement charges rise to a felony level, the circumstances of the case — including the amount of money involved — will dictate their approach to holding the individual charged with theft or the misappropriation of funds accountable for their actions.

If you are being investigated for embezzlement, or are charged with embezzling funds from your employer, contact our experienced Houston criminal defense attorneys at the Nava Law Group, P.C. today to learn how we can design a proper defense for your unique circumstances.

Who Can Be Charged with Embezzlement in Texas?

Embezzlement can be perpetrated by any individual who is entrusted with money or goods and later steals either for their personal gain.

There is no limit to the types of people who can be charged with embezzlement, but the most common people charged include:

• Employees, including office managers, warehouse operators, and cashiers
• Business partners
• Vendors
• Independent contractors
• Accountants and bookkeepers
• Securities professionals
• Business managers and agents

Common instances of embezzlement in Texas include:

• Theft of cash from an employer
• Theft of goods or services from an employer
• Transferring funds from a corporate account to a personal bank account
• Altering company books to conceal income to the employer
• Family members who misappropriate funds from elderly relatives or others entrusted in their care

What Are the Penalties for Embezzlement in Texas?

Texas laws determine the severity of the punishment for each embezzlement crime based on the amount or value of the goods, services, or cash stolen.

Those charges and penalties can include:

• Misdemeanor charges on an amount of up to $1,500; penalties include up to one year of jail time
• State jail felony charges on amounts between $1,500 – $20,000; penalties include up to two years of jail time
• Third-degree felony charges on amounts between $20,000 – $100,000; penalties include between two to ten years in prison
• Second-degree felony charges on amounts between $100,000 – $200,000; penalties include between two to twenty years in prison
• First-degree felony charges on any amount over $200,000; penalties include between five to 99 years in prison

Those who commit embezzlement, and are considered public servants, will face higher penalties.

If you are under investigation for embezzlement or have already been charged with the crime of embezzling funds, contact our experienced Houston embezzlement attorneys today, so we can begin working on a defense strategy to pursue the best outcome for your case.

How Will the Nava Law Group, P.C. Defend My Embezzlement Charges?

No two embezzlement cases are alike, and neither are the individuals who are being charged.

Each client we represent has a specific set of circumstances that surrounds their charges, which will dictate the statutes that apply to the prosecutor’s case against them.

At the Nava Law Group, P.C., our Houston embezzlement lawyers focus on each of our client’s unique needs to reinforce the ultimate legal fact: The burden of proof is on the prosecution, and that you presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor must produce admissible evidence in court that proves beyond a reasonable doubt that our client took money, goods, or services without the owner’s permission.

Our defenses can include, but are not limited to the facts of the case, including that:

• There was consent given by the property owner for our client to have the funds, goods, or services
• There was no intent by our client to deprive an owner of their property
• There was a mistake made through a mathematical error, and no intention to purposely alter a company or business’s records to hide income

As your experienced embezzlement attorneys in Houston, it is our united goal to deliver the best outcome available for your embezzlement charges. That can mean getting your case dismissed due to the lack of evidence, getting your charges reduced by negotiating with the prosecutor, or pursuing a win at trial.

Contact Our Houston Embezzlement Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation

If you have been arrested for embezzlement, or are aware of an embezzlement investigation that involves you alone or combined with other employees, contact our skilled embezzlement attorneys in Houston and Harris County today by calling (713) 218-2400 to schedule a free consultation. Do not jeopardize your rights during the legal process or assume the prosecutor will favorably negotiate with you without a Houston embezzlement attorney. We can help you pursue the best outcome available for your unique criminal charges, so you can focus on your future.