Embezzlement is a type of theft; however, unlike other situations, it doesn’t involve weapons or threats. Instead, when you face embezzlement charges, you are accused of using your position of trust or an established relationship to commit a crime. Unfortunately, in New Jersey, embezzlement charges can come with serious consequences if you are convicted. Because of this, it’s best to learn more about this charge and how to protect your legal rights.
Factors that lead to embezzlement
Most people don’t go to work one day and decide to take as much as possible. While this isn’t an excuse, there is usually an external motivation for the crime. A common cause of employee theft is a personal crisis. For example, a person may lose their spouse in an accident or have a natural disaster destroy their home. The crisis corresponds with them discovering a weakness in the financial side of the business – usually, this is a complete coincidence. The actions continue when the person discovers they aren’t getting caught or turning heads. At some point, it becomes easy. If the business targeted doesn’t have proper oversight in place or puts financial concerns in just one person’s hands, it creates the perfect storm for embezzlement. Unfortunately, if you give in to the temptation, you will likely be caught eventually, and building a strong defense is imperative to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. It’s important to note that if you are convicted of embezzlement, you can face years in prison, significant fines and more. Understanding how you got to this place can help inform your defense.
