There are many types of theft and larceny under Florida law. Many people assume theft involves stealing physical property, such as burglary or shoplifting. However, theft also includes taking money and may extend to obtaining funds through fraud or deceit. When a charge involves taking money from an employer or another position of trust, the offense is classified as embezzlement.
If someone is entrusted with the finances of another party, they have a special duty to that person or business to deal honestly with them. For that reason, embezzlement is a state property crime, and may also be a civil crime and a federal financial crime. If you’re facing embezzlement charges, you need help from a Fort Pierce embezzlement lawyer right away.
Contact our dedicated theft attorneys today for a free consultation.
Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 812.014, a person commits theft when they knowingly obtain or use, or attempt to obtain or use, the property of another with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from it. Property under the statute includes both physical property and money. Although Florida does not contain a separate statute labeled embezzlement, conduct commonly described as embezzlement falls within the statutory definition of theft.
Embezzlement involves not only taking money or property, but also abusing a position of trust to do so. For example, when an accountant falsifies financial records and takes company funds for personal use, that conduct breaches the employer’s expectation of honest financial management. Under state law, embezzlement may be charged as petit theft or grand theft, depending on the amount taken.
Defenses to embezzlement allegations in Fort Pierce may include lack of intent, misunderstanding, consent, or shared ownership of the property at issue. For example, funds in a joint bank account could be used by one account holder without the other’s knowledge without constituting theft or embezzlement.
Prosecutors often charge embezzlement alongside other theft-related offenses, and the conduct may involve moving money through unlawful means, like:
Embezzlement may constitute both a state and a federal offense. If you face this type of charge, a Fort Pierce embezzlement attorney can help you understand your legal options and the potential consequences.
Fort Pierce Criminal Defense Lawyer Jonathan Jay Kirschner has experience in handling criminal defense for clients charged with theft and financial crimes. If you are under investigation for these offenses, our legal team can review warrants and subpoenas and help safeguard your legal rights throughout the process.
If your case proceeds to trial, we can stand beside you and present a focused legal defense based on the facts and applicable law. Our firm can evaluate the charges, identify potential defenses, and address procedural or evidentiary issues that may affect the case. If you face criminal charges, contact our office to request a case evaluation and discuss your options.
