Columbia, MD Embezzlement Attorneys

Defending You Against Embezzlement Charges

Embezzlement is a form of theft that depends on a violation of fiduciary duty. If you were entrusted with the responsibility of managing or monitoring someone else's assets and have been accused of intentionally misappropriating those funds for personal gain, you could find yourself under investigation for embezzlement, assuming you have not already been arrested and charged for it. Before the matter escalates further, stand up for yourself with the help of a professional defense attorney from Portner & Shure.

Our Columbia, MD embezzlement lawyers are always ready to hear from new and returning clients who have been accused of embezzlement and other serious theft crimes. With our highly experienced and eclectic team, we can create strong legal strategies designed to protect your rights and reputation.

People across Howard County turn to Portner & Shure for criminal defense because:

• We have been a trusted law firm for more than 30 years.
• We have countless 5-star reviews from real clients on Google and Facebook.
• We use aggressive litigation tactics to keep the prosecution on the defense instead.
• We offer our legal counsel in English, Spanish, Hindi, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese languages.

Ready to fight your embezzlement charges? We are, too. Call (410) 995-1515 to request an initial consultation.

What is a Fiduciary Duty?

Fiduciary duty is a legal obligation of one party to act in the best interest of another. Typically, a written and signed contract of some form is used to establish a fiduciary duty, but unwritten oral contracts often have the authority to establish this legal relationship as well. In the context of embezzlement crimes, this duty is violated when the trusted party misappropriates funds or assets they were entrusted to manage or oversee, using them for personal gain or other criminal activities instead.

Common examples of fiduciary duties include:

• Estate executor and the assets they manage: An estate executor is responsible for managing and distributing the assets of a deceased person according to their last will.
• Investment bankers and their clients: Investment bankers are expected to offer sound financial advice and make decisions that will benefit their clients’ portfolios. An investment banker’s clients can be an individual, a corporation, a firm, and so on.
• Relationships established through a power of attorney: A power of attorney grants one party the authority to act on behalf of another. If the party with this power uses it to misappropriate funds, it could constitute embezzlement.
• Trustees and the companies they serve: Certain trustees have a fiduciary duty to manage a company’s assets responsibly.
• Worker in charge of a business's money: A cashier or any employee given control over a business’s money has a responsibility to handle those funds honestly. Although stealing money out of a cash register or business safe might be a “minor” form of embezzlement compared to others, it can still result in criminal charges that must be taken seriously.

Penalties for Maryland Embezzlement Convictions

Being convicted of embezzlement in Maryland can lead to severe consequences and present numerous challenges that you might not expect. The penalties for embezzlement can vary, depending on whether the charges are classified as a misdemeanor, felony, or federal offense, too. At Portner & Shure, we can handle embezzlement defense cases for any type of level of criminal charge that has been filed against you. Our goal is to defend you from the harsh penalties that could be used upon a conviction and to mitigate the potential damage to your life and well-being.

If you are convicted of embezzlement in Maryland, you could be penalized with:

• Between 1 year and 5 years of imprisonment.
• Fines based on crime level, often ranging into the thousands of dollars.
• Repayment of embezzled funds to the victim.

An embezzlement conviction can also have far-reaching implications for your professional life. It can make it significantly harder to secure employment, particularly in careers that involve handling money or financial management. Trust is a key aspect of these roles, and a record of embezzlement can raise serious doubts about your reliability and integrity. Even if employers are instructed to not consider someone’s criminal record when deciding to hire, promote, or terminate them, many do.

You could also be required to report the embezzled funds as income on your tax return if you are convicted of embezzlement. Complex tax issues and potential disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are likely to arise.

Defenses Against Embezzlement Charges

Understanding that every embezzlement defense case is unique, we analyze the details of each case to create personalized and effective defenses. We can use compelling evidence and strong arguments that challenge the prosecution’s case at every step, so you can feel like you have a fair fighting chance at a positive case result. Not all defenses are applicable to every case, though, so while one might work for another client’s case, it might not work for yours.

Two common embezzlement defense strategies that could apply to your case are:

1. Insufficient evidence: This defense argues that the prosecution simply does not have enough solid evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed embezzlement. Financial records can be complicated or poorly maintained, making it difficult to determine how or if assets were misused for personal gain. It could even be possible to argue that the evidence doesn’t even show that you were involved in the alleged crime.
2. Lack of intent: To secure a conviction for embezzlement, it must be proven that you intentionally misappropriated funds. If it can be shown that any misappropriation was accidental or due to a misunderstanding, we might be able to use this fact as the foundation of your defense.

How Portner & Shure Can Help Defend You

Our Columbia embezzlement attorneys bring vast experience and resources to every case we handle. From start to finish, you can trust your defense to us. We can research available evidence, look for new proof of your innocence, build a defense in your name, attempt to negotiate with the prosecution to drop or reduce your charges, represent you before a judge and jury, and much more. No matter what your embezzlement defense case needs, you can be confident that our team will be ready to stand up for you.

Fight Your Embezzlement Charges – Call Now

Don’t let an embezzlement charge weigh on you another day. Take legal action with the help of Portner & Shure, so you can start to feel better about your future. With our Maryland embezzlement lawyers at your side and leading the way, you will have a fair chance to fight for your freedom and reputation, just like you deserve.

For personalized attention and comprehensive legal support when faced with embezzlement charges, call (410) 995-1515 or fill out an online contact form now.