Youngsville Embezzlement Lawyer

Youngsville Embezzlement Attorney

Many companies have a large presence in Youngsville and the greater Lafayette area, including Brookshire’s and Community First Bank. These provide valuable jobs in the area, but they also require a certain degree of trust in their employees. If an employee is accused of violating that trust, they need a Youngsville embezzlement lawyer to settle the matter.

Experienced Embezzlement Attorneys in Youngsville, LA

At The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, we take all forms of criminal charges seriously. We know that you are more than the accusations against you, so we can work hard to find evidence that supports your case. Our attention to detail can help you get back to your life after criminal charges.

What Is Embezzlement?

Embezzlement is considered a white collar crime. For an embezzlement charge to be proven, there are a few requirements, including:

• Relationship: First, the accused must have a relationship with the person who entrusted them with managing funds. The victim must also have some sort of reliance on the accused to make sure the assets are being spent according to how they want them to be. Finally, the accused must have access to the assets if they are being accused of stealing them.
• Personal gain: The accused must have received assets and benefited in some way from embezzling funds. The benefit must have been gained from misusing the stolen assets. For example, if someone buys a boat from the proceeds of their embezzlement, they have personal gain from the act.
• Stolen assets: The assets must be taken without the consent of the victim. If the victim knowingly gave the assets to the accused, then it does not count as embezzlement. The transfer of assets must have been done illicitly. It could have been transferred to the embezzler themselves or to another account as an attempt to cover up the act.
• Purposeful: To be considered embezzlement, the actions had to have been taken intentionally. Just because someone made an accounting error does not mean they committed embezzlement. There must have been some premeditation involved for the actions to be considered embezzlement.
• Borrowing: Even if someone borrows money and repays it later, it could still be considered embezzlement. The act of intentionally taking assets without the consent of the victim still counts as embezzlement, regardless of whether they are replaced.

Fraud investigation groups developed within companies have grown by almost 50% from 2019 to 2024. This means more businesses are on the lookout for embezzlement. To address your charges, consider working with a white collar crime attorney.

Potential Defenses Against Embezzlement

There are several types of strategies for defending yourself if you are accused of embezzlement. Different strategies work better for different situations.

The most common form of defense for embezzlement charges is a lack of evidence. Simply thinking that someone committed embezzlement is not enough for a conviction under state and federal embezzlement laws.

Proving embezzlement requires lots of financial records, and it takes a clear link between the manager of the assets and the accounts themselves.

If you were pressured by another party to commit embezzlement, this could be considered duress. This is especially true if that party threatened your job or made threats of violence on you or your loved ones if you did not embezzle money.

If your charges are on the federal level in Youngsville, they can be even more serious than state-level charges. These accusations often need professional legal representation to prevent you from facing severe consequences.

Why Hire an Embezzlement Lawyer in Youngsville?

It can be very difficult to defend yourself against embezzlement charges. There are lots of options for a defense strategy, but they can be hard to prove. The one that works for your case will vary considerably based on the individual situation.

A Youngsville embezzlement attorney can review the context of the case and determine what strategy is the most effective for you.  This gives you a greater chance of having an effective defense that works in your favor.

Why Choose Us?

The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory has worked with clients facing a wide variety of crimes, both violent and nonviolent. Regardless of the severity of the accusations, we can defend you. It can greatly improve your case to have a legal professional on your side.

FAQs About Youngsville, LA Embezzlement Laws

What Is the Embezzlement Law in Louisiana?

The embezzlement law in Louisiana classifies the crime as the stealing of property without violence. The punishment for embezzlement changes based on how much was stolen. The penalties range from six months in jail for under $1,000 to a $50,000 fine or two years in prison for embezzling more than $25,000.

What Four Things Must Occur to Have a Case of Embezzlement in Youngsville?

The four things that must occur for there to be a case of embezzlement in Youngsville include:

1. A relationship existed between the two parties, where one relied on the other for financial support.
2. The stolen property must be directly relevant to the financial relationship.
3. The crime must have been committed on purpose.
4. The accused also must have possessed the assets or sent them to someone else to prevent discovery.

What Evidence Supports Embezzlement Cases in Youngsville?

The evidence that supports embezzlement cases in Youngsville can include bank account statements and purchase histories. However, catching embezzlement can be extremely difficult, as it is the goal of the perpetrator to cover their activities. Certain warning signs, like financial issues or living extravagantly past what someone can afford, can fuel further investigation.

What Are Common Defenses Against Embezzlement Charges in Louisiana?

Common defenses against embezzlement charges in Louisiana include a lack of evidence. These cases can be very hard to prove and need lots of evidence to verify a hunch. It’s also possible that you were pressured by someone else who threatened you to embezzle money for them. It can be difficult to defend yourself against embezzlement charges without professional legal help.

Defend Your Reputation

72% of in-house fraud teams have investigated accusations of embezzlement. Even if you did not commit the crime, criminal charges are not something to take lightly. Schedule a consultation with The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory to address your embezzlement allegations.