Some crimes occur when individuals take specific and prohibited actions against each other in a physically violent or inappropriate way. Others occur when individuals undertake to harm others through trickery and the desire to become financially enriched. The latter category of crimes is sometimes referred to as white collar crime as it often occurs in settings of employment and financial management.
Embezzlement is a particular white collar crime that Arkansas residents may have heard of but that they may not know how to define. Generally, embezzlement is the illegal taking of someone else’s property or money by a person who was entrusted to protect or be responsible for the taken asset. Embezzlement is often alleged in accounting and insurance settings, as well as in businesses and other money-focused enterprises.
Embezzlement is also a serious criminal charge. If it is proven against an individual they can face significant penalties, such as jail time and restitution. Though prosecutors must prove several elements of an embezzlement charge, such as the existence of a fiduciary relationship between the parties and the intent of the alleged embezzler, defenses do exist to allegations of the crime.
Consultation with a criminal defense attorney can be an important part of clearing one’s name of erroneous and damaging embezzlement charges. Depending upon the nature of one’s alleged actions and their pending charges a person may receive different strategic plans from their lawyer.
White collar crimes are no less significant than crimes that involve the alleged infliction of physical harm. They can derail individuals’ futures and cause them to suffer personal and professional setbacks that can change the course of their lives. Legal help is an important part of overcoming embezzlement and other white collar crime charges.
