Have you been charged with embezzlement at work? Are you worried this accusation could threaten your career, reputation, or freedom? Were you falsely accused due to a mistake or an ulterior motive from your employer?
You need a Los Angeles embezzlement attorney on your side. Attorney William Kroger and his team bring over 75 years of combined experience and have handled thousands of criminal cases across California.
Contact (323) 655-5700 now for your free consultation. Let us aggressively defend your rights and future against embezzlement or related white-collar crime charges in Los Angeles.
Why Choose William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law for Your Los Angeles Embezzlement Case?
When your livelihood is at risk, choosing the right attorney is crucial. Here is why our Los Angeles defense team stands out:
- Over 75 years of combined criminal defense experience.
- Handled thousands of criminal cases, including major theft and fraud.
- Won not guilty verdicts in serious, high-stakes cases, including major drug and theft cases.
- We have obtained dismissals in significant felony matters, including cases that looked difficult at the start.
- We guide you through every stage of the criminal process so you always know what to expect.
- We serve Spanish-speaking clients with interpreters available when needed.
- Our firm has been recognized by Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
You deserve a team that takes your case seriously from day one. Call us now at (323) 655-5700 for your free consultation.
Why You Need a Los Angeles Embezzlement Lawyer
The moment you are charged with embezzlement, the prosecution starts building its case. They will gather financial records, interview witnesses, and work with forensic accountants. The state moves fast, and you need to move just as fast.
A strong defense attorney will review every piece of evidence against you, look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s theory, and explain exactly what your legal rights are at each stage of the process.
Attorney William Kroger has the experience and the insight to identify problems in the state’s case that others might miss. The sooner you call, the more options you have. Do not wait until your first court date.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Is Embezzlement Under California Law?
Embezzlement is different from ordinary theft. With regular theft, someone takes property they were never supposed to have. With embezzlement, you were given legal access to that property by someone who trusted you, and then, according to the charge, you used it in a way that was not authorized.
The most common examples happen in the workplace: an employee with access to company funds, a bookkeeper with control over accounts, or a manager who can approve payments. Embezzlement can also happen outside of employment, such as when a caregiver manages a client’s finances or a trustee handles estate funds.
California Penal Code Section 503 PC
Under California Penal Code 503 PC, embezzlement is when someone wrongfully takes property they were trusted with. The prosecution must prove these four points beyond a reasonable doubt: you were entrusted with property, the owner trusted you, you used or converted the property for your benefit, and you intended to deprive the owner of it, even temporarily.
- The owner did so because they trusted you.
- You fraudulently used or converted that property for your own benefit.
- When you did so, you intended to deprive the owner of that property, even if only temporarily.
Intent to deprive does not have to be permanent. Even a temporary unauthorized use can lead to embezzlement charges, and planning to pay back the money is not a legal defense in California.
California Penal Code Section 504 PC: Embezzlement by a Public Officer
If you are a public official or government employee, prosecutors will likely charge you under Penal Code 504 PC rather than, or in addition to, PC 503. This statute applies to any state, county, city, or municipal employee who fraudulently uses public property or public funds beyond their official authority.
To convict under PC 504, the prosecution must show that you were acting in your official capacity and that you fraudulently appropriated public resources for your own benefit or for an unauthorized purpose. The same penalty framework applies: the charge is treated as petty theft if the value is $950 or less, and as grand theft if the value exceeds $950.
Examples of conduct that can trigger a PC 504 charge include a public official diverting government funds into a personal account, a county employee using a government vehicle for unauthorized personal use, or a city official concealing public property with the intent to appropriate it for non-official purposes.
Fraudulent Intent
The word “fraudulent” is the heart of an embezzlement charge. The prosecution cannot simply show that you had access to property and that some of it went missing.
They must prove that you acted with the specific intent to use that property in an unauthorized way, meaning that you knew what you were doing and chose to do it anyway.
This is one of the most contested elements in these cases. If you made an honest mistake, misunderstood your authority, or acted in good faith based on your understanding of your role, that is not embezzlement. A skilled defense attorney can directly challenge the prosecution’s proof of fraudulent intent.
The Entrustment Requirement
Embezzlement only applies when the property was entrusted to you because of a special relationship of trust. This is what separates it from other theft charges.
If an employer gave you signing authority, if a client trusted you to manage their funds, or if a family member designated you to handle an estate, that relationship is what creates the legal duty.
Without a clear relationship of trust and entrustment, the prosecution’s embezzlement case falls apart. Challenging the nature of that relationship, or whether the property was truly “entrusted” to you under the law, is a powerful line of defense.
Penalties for Embezzlement in California
Criminal Penalties
California does not have a single fixed penalty for embezzlement. The charge and punishment depend primarily on the value of the property involved and whether the case is filed as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Misdemeanor embezzlement (property valued at $950 or less, charged as petty theft under Penal Code 484/488 PC:
- Up to six months in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Summary (informal) probation
Felony embezzlement (property valued at more than $950, charged as grand theft under Penal Code 487 PC:
- 16 months, two years, or three years in state prison
- Fines up to $10,000
- Formal felony probation
Large-scale embezzlement can trigger additional sentencing enhancements under Penal Code 12022.6 PC, which was re-enacted effective January 1, 2025. These enhancements are served consecutively, meaning they are added on top of the base prison sentence:
- Loss exceeding $50,000: additional 1 year
- Loss exceeding $200,000: additional 2 years
- Loss exceeding $1,000,000: additional 3 years
- Loss exceeding $3,000,000: additional 4 years
These enhancements may apply to the combined losses from all felony counts arising from the same scheme or plan. In a large embezzlement case, the enhancement alone can add years to a prison sentence.
Collateral Consequences
A criminal conviction is only part of the picture. An embezzlement conviction, even a misdemeanor, can follow you in ways that go far beyond jail time and fines:
- Permanent damage to your professional reputation, making it very difficult to find work in finance, accounting, or any role that involves handling money
- Loss of professional licenses in fields like real estate, healthcare, law, and financial services
- Difficulty passing background checks for housing, jobs, or professional certifications
- Loss of the right to own or possess a firearm if convicted of a felony
- Immigration consequences, including potential deportation or denial of naturalization, for non-citizens
- Civil lawsuits from employers or victims seeking to recover the alleged losses
- Court-ordered restitution, which means paying back the full amount even after you have served your sentence
These are serious, long-term consequences. That is exactly why fighting the charge, rather than simply accepting a plea, is worth exploring with an experienced attorney.
Defenses Against Embezzlement Charges
Attorney William Kroger will review every detail of your case before building a defense strategy. The right defense depends on the facts of your specific situation, but here are the arguments that come up most often in embezzlement cases:
- No fraudulent intent: You believed you had permission or authority to use the property, which defeats the intent element the prosecution must prove.
- Good faith claim of right: You genuinely believed the property was yours or that you had a legal right to it under California Penal Code 511 PC.
- Consent: The owner actually authorized your use of the property, which negates the “fraudulent” element of the charge.
- No entrustment relationship: The prosecution cannot establish the required relationship of trust that defines this crime.
- Insufficient evidence: Financial records are often incomplete or misread, and an experienced attorney can challenge the accounting behind the accusation.
- Mistake of fact: An error in recordkeeping or bookkeeping is not the same as criminal conduct.
- False accusation: Disgruntled employers, business partners, or colleagues sometimes use embezzlement allegations to deflect blame or settle personal disputes.
False accusations are more common in embezzlement cases than many people realize. Financial discrepancies are sometimes caused by errors, other employees, or poor accounting practices, not criminal conduct. Witnesses, records, and the right legal strategy can make all the difference.
Speak With Our Los Angeles Embezzlement Attorney Today
If you are facing an embezzlement charge in Los Angeles, the time to act is now. When you call William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law, here is what you can expect: a free, no-obligation consultation, a detailed review of the facts of your case, a clear explanation of your legal rights, and an honest picture of your options.
Attorney William Kroger has spent years defending clients against serious felony and misdemeanor charges throughout Los Angeles and across California. Our team brings over 75 years of combined experience to every case we take on.
There is no obligation. Your first call is completely free. Reach us now at (323) 655-5700.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law to speak with a licensed attorney about your specific situation.