Knoxville Embezzlement Lawyer

Tennessee Embezzlement Laws & Prison Sentence

Embezzlement is a type of property theft that is committed when an individual who was entrusted to manage or monitor someone else's property or money, steals all or some of that property or money for their own personal use. While the defendant had legal access to the other individuals' property or money, they did not have legal ownership of it. This is a white collar crime that is usually committed by individuals in corporate settings with access to large amounts of money. Rather than just being referred to as a theft crime, embezzlement involves violating a special position of trust for the purpose of personal gain.

What is Embezzlement?

Embezzlement is a type of financial fraud and theft that occurs when a person, typically an employee or someone entrusted with managing money or property, unlawfully takes or misappropriates funds or property that have been entrusted to them. 

Unlike robbery or theft, which involve taking property without permission, embezzlement involves the fraudulent conversion of property that is already in the individual's possession lawfully due to their position of trust.

Key elements of embezzlement typically include:

• Relationship of Trust: The perpetrator must have a relationship of trust with the victim, such as being an employee, agent, or trustee.
• Fraudulent Intent: The individual must have the intent to deprive the owner of the property or funds. This can include taking the property for personal use, transferring it to another person or account, or otherwise using it in a manner inconsistent with the owner's wishes.
• Actual Conversion: There must be an actual conversion of the property or funds, meaning that the perpetrator takes control of the property or funds for their own use or benefit.

Embezzlement can involve various forms of property, including money, goods, or other valuable assets. It is considered a form of white-collar crime and can result in serious legal consequences, including criminal charges and potential imprisonment, depending on the amount of money or value of the property involved and the laws of the jurisdiction.

Is Embezzlement a Felony in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, embezzling any property or services valued at $500 or more is a felony. Depending on the value of assets appropriated, embezzlement can carry anywhere from a Class A misdemeanor charge to a Class B felony charge, with jail sentences ranging from up to 11 months of incarceration up to 30 years and fines ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. It is crucial to have an experienced Knoxville white collar crime attorney protecting your rights if you've been charged with embezzlement in Tennessee; we can mount the best defense and help limit any penalties associated with embezzlement charges.

Embezzlement Penalties in Tennessee

The penalties for embezzling money or property with the following values are as follows:

• $500 or less - Fine of up to $2,500, up to 1 year in jail, or both.
• Between $500 & $1,000 - Fine of up to $3,000, 1 to 6 year prison sentence, or both.
• Between $1,000 & $10,000 - Fine of up to $5,000, 2 to 12 year prison sentence, or both.
• Between $10,000 & $60,000 - Fine of up to $10,000, 3 to 15 year prison sentence, or both.
• Money or property worth $60,000 or more -  Fine of up to $25,000, 8 to 30 years in prison, or both.

At the Law Office of Joseph A. Fanduzz, our team is dedicated to providing reliable defense and aggressive representation for individuals who are facing charges for embezzlement and other crimes. We recognize how stressful it is to not know what your future may hold. This is why we encourage you to reach out to our Knoxville criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after you have been charged. We will utilize our vast trial and negotiation experience to help you get you the results you want.

Have you been accused of committing embezzlement? 
Act fast by giving our firm a call today! 

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With such serious penalties, it is important that you contact our firm as soon as possible after you have been charged with embezzlement. The sooner you retain our services, the sooner we can begin gathering all information and working to build the strongest defense possible. Regardless of how serious your situation may seem, you can trust that we will do everything in our power to see that your best interests are upheld.

With so much at stake, it is essential that you do not waste any time. Contact our firm immediately to face your charges with confidence. We stand ready to fight for you, no matter how complex your situation may seem.

If you are interested in scheduling a free initial consultation , be sure to call us today !