White-collar crimes, as you may know, are those that do not involve physical violence; instead, they generally involve theft of some kind, though they are treated every bit as seriously as other crimes in the eyes of New Jersey law. One of the most common types of white-collar crimes is embezzlement, and if you are currently facing embezzlement charges, meaning you are essentially charged with stealing or misappropriating funds from accounts for your personal gain. If you are currently facing embezzlement charges in New Jersey, you must continue reading and speak with our knowledgeable New Jersey criminal defense attorney to learn more about these charges and how we can help you fight them.
What happens if I am charged with embezzlement in New Jersey?
If you are facing embezzlement charges, you can expect to face a wide array of penalties, especially without the assistance of an attorney. The penalties for embezzlement in New Jersey are as follows:
- For stolen property valued at less than $200: This is a disorderly persons offense, for which you may spend up to 6 months in jail, and you may face a $1,000 fine, or double the amount the alleged victim lost in the course of the theft.
- For stolen property valued between $200-$500: This is a fourth-degree crime, for which you may spend up to 18 months in prison, and you may face a fine of up to $10,000, or double the amount the alleged victim lost in the course of the theft.
- For stolen property valued between $500-$75,000: This is a third-degree crime, for which you may spend up to 5 years of incarceration, and you may face a fine of up to $15,000, or double the amount the alleged victim lost in the course of the theft.
- For stolen property valued at $75,000 or more: This is a second-degree crime, for which you may spend up to 10 years in prison, and face a fine of $150,000, or double the amount the alleged victim lost in the course of the theft.
Defenses Against Embezzlement Charges
Though the defense our firm uses largely depends upon the circumstances of your alleged offense, we may use any of the following defenses:
- Your mishandling the money was a misunderstanding. This is often the case for those tasked with managing elderly people’s funds.
- You did not realize or understand that you were unlawfully taking the property.
- You felt that you had reasonable, or even implied consent to take the property without asking permission.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
Thomas DeMarco & Associates, LLC is an experienced Camden County criminal defense law firm located in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey. We understand how potentially damaging a criminal can be, which is why we pride ourselves in our willingness to fight for our client’s rights. Our firm handles all criminal matters and is ready to provide you with our knowledgeable legal counsel. Do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss your legal situation.
