Embezzlement is the crime of taking someone else’s money and converting it to your own use. It’s a serious crime that is a form of financial theft. Embezzlement is a serious charge that can result in a significant jail or prison sentence. Many defendants want to know just how serious the charge is. The answer depends on the amount of money involved. Our criminal defense attorneys explain the penalties for embezzlement.
Is embezzlement a felony or a misdemeanor?
Embezzlement is a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the amount of money taken. For small amounts of money, the offense is a misdemeanor. When significant amounts of money are involved, embezzlement is a felony offense. The exact amount of money that has to be involved to make the charge a felony varies by state law. However, in general, to determine whether embezzlement is a felony or misdemeanor, you compare the amount of money allegedly taken to the law in the state where the offense occurs.
What is Pennsylvania’s embezzlement law?
Pennsylvania’s embezzlement law is 18 Pennsylvania Const. Stat. section 3297. The law’s title is theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received. Pennsylvania’s embezzlement law says that embezzlement occurs when a person is trusted with someone else’s funds, and the person fails to make the required disposition of the funds. Embezzlement can also be grounds for a civil lawsuit, but Pennsylvania’s criminal embezzlement law is 18 Pennsylvania Const. Stat. section 3297.
Pennsylvania law – 18 Pa. Const. Stat. Section 3927
18 Pa. Const. Stat. Section 3927 criminalizes embezzlement in the State of Pennsylvania. The law states that every employee who has control of their employer’s property is presumed to know what they should do with the property legally. When an employee converts the funds to another use, that’s called embezzlement. Under 18 Pa. Const. Stat. Section 3927, there are varying penalties for embezzlement depending on the amount of money involved.
What is the difference between stealing and embezzlement?
The difference between stealing and embezzlement is how the person comes to have the funds in their possession. When a person steals, they have never lawfully had control of the money. With embezzlement, the offender begins by having the funds for a lawful purpose. Then, they transfer the funds to their personal use or to someone else who doesn’t have a lawful right to the funds. Both stealing and embezzlement involve taking someone else’s money. The difference between stealing and embezzlement is how the person gets the money in the first place.
Criminal defense attorneys for embezzlement charges in Pennsylvania
Our criminal defense attorneys can represent you if you’re facing embezzlement charges in Pennsylvania. We believe that everyone deserves an aggressive legal defense. Our team helps you understand the charges against you and fight back with a passionate and aggressive legal defense that’s tailored to your case. There’s no cost to have an initial consultation with our criminal defense attorney team. See how we can represent you and together, fight for justice.
