Alabama readers know that criminal charges can change your life. If convicted, you could face time behind bars, steep penalties and other adverse effects on your future. If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, you would be wise to take your situation seriously, especially if you are facing white collar crime charges.

White collar crimes, such as embezzlement, are serious charges that carry serious criminal penalties. You are facing the threat of losing your personal freedom, your reputation and much more. In this situation, it is beneficial to protect your interests by taking quick action to build a strong defense and confront the charges against you.

What is embezzlement?

Embezzlement involves the theft of certain assets and money committed by a person who has a place of authority over those assets. Often, it takes place in a corporate setting, and it can include various different types of employment or corporate theft. One of the most common forms of embezzlement is accounting embezzlement.

How can the prosecution prove you embezzled?

This type of white collar crime happens when one person is given access to another person’s assets and money information, such as an accountant, investment professionals and others. Proving that you actually participated in fraudulent activity is not easy, but the prosecution must be able to prove the following in order to have a case against you:

• A financial relationship existed between two parties in which one party was reliant on the other.
• As a result of this fiduciary relationship, one party took property or money from the other.
• The party that took the money then transferred it to another person or party or took it into ownership.
• There is proof that this action was intentional.

Defending yourself against these charges requires both experience and a close knowledge of the law. You would be wise to secure the help needed to build an effective defense as soon as you can, whether that is after an arrest or as soon as you learn you are under investigation.

Defending your future

There are many things at stake when you are facing embezzlement charges. Some people make the mistake of underestimating the serious nature of white collar crimes, but you would be wise not to do this. Take your situation seriously by working to confront these charges and protect your future and freedom.

Building a criminal defense is a daunting task, but you can take the first step simply by seeking a complete evaluation of your case in order to understand your legal options.