White-collar criminal offenses involve various types of financial misconduct. Occasionally, the people accused of white-collar crimes may have made misleading statements regarding investments or helped legitimize ill-gotten capital through money laundering.
Embezzlement is also a white-collar criminal offense. Technically, embezzlement is a theft crime under Texas state statutes. It involves a worker breaching the trust of an employer to misappropriate assets in many cases. Professionals accused of misappropriating resources or money from their employers are at risk of not just job termination but possibly also criminal prosecution.
What penalties could follow a guilty plea or conviction for an embezzlement offense in Texas?
The penalties depend on the details
Theft offenses in Texas can be misdemeanor offenses or very serious felony crimes. In embezzlement cases, the primary factor that influences the charges and therefore the penalties is the value of the assets involved.
Embezzlement of assets worth less than $1,500 could lead to misdemeanor charges that carry up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines. Anything beyond that amount is likely to lead to felony charges.
The penalties could vary from two years in prison to up to 99 years in prison in the most extreme cases. The maximum fine is $10,000 when facing felony theft charges. The courts may also order the defendant to pay restitution based on the alleged value of the assets involved.
Fighting back against embezzlement charges requires an understanding of the allegations and an analysis of the state’s case. Professionals who successfully fight their charges can avoid criminal penalties and criminal records that could impact their professional opportunities in the future.