Embezzlement is the act of fraudulently taking money that was entrusted to you. Many people think of embezzlement as a complicated crime, but there are many different scenarios in which you can be accused with embezzling funds. If you are facing charges of embezzlement in Minnesota, you need an experienced defense attorney to help build your case.


Understanding Embezzlement Charges

In the state of Minnesota, embezzlement can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The exact charges leveled against you will depend on several factors, including:

  • The total value of property or funds embezzled;
  • If any of the property belonged to a government institution;
  • If any firearms were involved; and/or
  • Prior history of embezzlement.

When the value of the property embezzled is over $1,000, you may be charged with a felony. A felony embezzlement conviction will typically result in strict penalties that include prison time and large fines. The most serious embezzlement charges will apply when the property is valued at over $35,000. In these cases, a conviction can mean prison time up to 20 years, and fines up to $100,000. Any time firearms are involved, the most serious embezzlement charges can apply.

Even the smallest embezzlement charges can lead to big consequences. If the value of the property is under $500, you can still face fines up to $1,000, and jail time up to 90 days. This may seem like a very steep price to pay for a relatively small crime, but the law is often harsh when trust is broken.

In many cases, embezzlement involves an individual siphoning off funds into an account he, or she, owns. However, embezzlement doesn’t have to be a devious plot, or grand scale crime. In fact, almost any act of taking money can be charged as embezzlement. Even a cashier taking a few dollars out of a cash register can qualify for, and lead to, criminal charges.


Embezzlement Defense Lawyer

An embezzlement conviction can have a serious impact on the rest of your life. Even the smallest embezzlement charge can cause people not to trust you anymore. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side. You need someone who can build your case and help you avoid a conviction.

Embezzlement is often treated more harshly than stealing because of the violation of trust. In order to gain back that trust, you need a defense lawyer on your side. With the right attorney, you can have your embezzlement charges reduced, or even dropped. This is vital in order for you to return to a life in which people will feel comfortable trusting you.


Always A Free Consultation

If you are charged with embezzlement, our attorneys are here for you. At the Brown Law Offices, P.A., we can help defend you. Don’t let an embezzlement charge hurt your future pursuits, or stop people from trusting you again. Call our Minnesota attorneys today at 763-323-6555 or complete our free online consultation form.