Embezzlement charges are tough to shake, both personally and professionally. If you find yourself facing embezzlement charges, you must take swift, calm action to protect yourself and your future.
One of the wisest things you can do if you find yourself accused of any crime is remain calm and reach out to an attorney. An attorney can help you understand the moving parts of your particular case and guide you through the steps of how to respond to each part of the allegations, if you should respond at all.
Don’t wait to begin building your defense, but otherwise it is wise to lie low as much as possible. Strong legal guidance is crucial in these matters, but so is keeping yourself clear of any behavior that may cause you to look more guilty than you actually are.
Are the charges really that serious?
Embezzlement is absolutely a serious charge, especially if it becomes a federal matter. Federal embezzlement charges carry stiff penalties that far outpace the violations that can trigger them. For instance, if a person works in the public sector and embezzles as little as $1,000, the penalty can be up to $250,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Don’t panic and go for a coverup
It is important that you do not panic. More often than not, what really sinks many federal white collar crime cases are the actions of the accused after receiving the charges. If you can keep your head on straight and remain calm, you stand a much better chance of seeing this whole thing blow over in time.
This means business as usual, as much as you can. Do not talk about the matter with your friends, or even your family members. In fact, an attorney may serve as the only person you can safely discuss the case with while you build your defense.
If you discuss the matter with anyone else, they may face a subpoena to testify against you, which they may not refuse.
Of course, it may seem obvious, but you should not discuss anything with law enforcement. You don’t owe them any sort of immediate explanation, and anything you say or do may end up costing you dearly in the future.
Remain calm and build a strong defense
Embezzlement charges are nothing to take lightly. As soon as you receive them, quickly and calmly contact an experienced defense attorney who understands the specifics of defending white collar charges. Proper legal counsel may mean the difference between walking free and serving years of your life behind bars.