California Laws on Charges of Embezzlement

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Simon Aval

Embezzlement is a type of property theft that occurs when an individual who is entrusted with property steals all or part of that property for his or her own personal gain. The key to an embezzlement charge is that the defendant must have legal access to the property, but not legal ownership of it.

Punishment Under California Law

Under California Penal Code § 514, an embezzlement conviction is punished according to the type or value of the property that was taken by the defendant. Below is a brief summary of the punishment under this section:

Property worth less than $950: If the property that is embezzled is worth less than $950, it is considered a misdemeanor (petty theft). The defendant may be subject to a possible jail sentence of 6 months or less and a fine of up to $1,000. If the property is worth less than $50, the offense may be only an infraction with a penalty of a fine up to $250.
Property worth more than $950: If the property is worth more than $950, it will be considered a grand theft. The defendant may be subject to a jail sentence of a maximum of one year. For enumerated items, a felony grand theft conviction may be entail state prison time of 16 months, 2 or 3 years.
In addition to the penalties described above, the judge may add extra fines, prison time or both for an embezzlement conviction that involves “aggravating factors.”

The Importance of Hiring a Los Angeles Embezzlement Attorney

The punishment for an embezzlement conviction can be serious. If you or a loved one has been charged with embezzlement, it is important to hire a Los Angeles embezzlement attorney with experience in such cases in order to obtain the best result. A knowledgeable attorney can develop and prepare a defense strategy early in the case that can help you avoid a conviction and or negotiate a settlement that keeps you out of jail or prison.

Call Us Today!

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with criminal defense attorney Simon Aval, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form. Mr. Aval is a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the state bar of California.

What To Do If You Are Accused of Lewd & Lascivious Act With a Minor

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Simon Aval

If you are accused of a lewd and lascivious act with a minor, you need to know that this is a very serious crime and you will most likely be aggressively prosecuted by the government. Lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, commonly referred to as “child molestation,” is a violent sex crime that is punishable under California Penal Code Section 667.5(c).

In order to ensure your legal rights are well protected and that you are afforded the best defense possible, you should consult an experienced Los Angeles lewd conduct attorney. With a skilled attorney on your side, you have a better chance of overcoming this challenge.

Things To Know

If you are accused of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, there are things you need to know, such as:

Never offer information. It is important that you never volunteer any information to law enforcement officers who may be investigating the alleged crime against you. Police officers are trained to encourage individuals involved or potentially involved in the crime to divulge damaging information.
Request to talk to an attorney. Under the United States Constitution, you have the right to remain silent and request an attorney to be present during any questioning. Once you invoke your Miranda Warning rights, the law enforcement agent must stop the interrogation.
Gather any contact information from supporting witnesses. Charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor are often a “he-said-she-said” situation. In most cases, testimony of the alleged victim may be unreliable given the age of the child. As such, the more evidence you have, the easier it may be to exonerate you.
Prepare a defense fund. Defending such serious criminal allegations can get expensive. You will need to pay for a criminal attorney, expert witness testimony fees, trial expenses and fines.
Immediately hire an experienced attorney. Perhaps the most important advice may be to hire an experienced Los Angeles lewd and lascivious conduct attorney to handle your claim.

Call an Experienced Los Angeles Lewd & Lascivious Conduct Attorney

A lewd and lascivious conduct charge can have serious penalties that may negatively impact all aspects of your life. Hiring an experienced Los Angeles lewd and lascivious conduct lawyer may mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal of the charges. In other words, your lawyer may effectively argue a defense on your behalf that will ensure your freedom.

Common Types of White Collar Crimes

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Simon Aval

The term “white collar crime” was first used in the 1930s, referring to any type of non-violent crime. While the punishment for these types of crimes may not be as severe as those for violent crimes, an arrest or a conviction of a white collar crime can nevertheless have a devastating effect on all aspects of your life.

White collar crimes in California are prosecuted by the federal government, the district attorney and the local prosecutor’s office. White collar crimes are charged just like other types of crimes. You have the same legal defense and protections that apply in other criminal matter. To make sure your rights are properly protected, you should consult an experienced Los Angeles white collar crime attorney.

Types of White Collar Crimes

There are many types of white collar crimes. Some common types that prosecutors are starting to increasingly prosecute include:

Antitrust violations (any infraction of the Sherman Act and the Clayton Act, such as price fixing)
Bank fraud (fraud against a banking institution, such as check fraud)
Forgery (manipulating or changing a written document for monetary gain)
Money laundering (funneling illegally obtained money through a legitimate business)
Extortion (taking money through force or coercion)
Tax evasion (committing illegal acts against the IRS, such as filing inaccurate IRS returns)
Insurance fraud (defrauding insurance companies, such as fabricating claims)

Call Us Today!

For more information about white collar crimes or to schedule a complimentary consultation with criminal defense attorney Simon Aval, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form. Mr. Aval is a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the state bar of California.