Cerritos Embezzlement Lawyer
Embezzlement isn’t just a headline you skim past in financial news, it’s a serious theft-related allegation that can turn your life upside down. Studies estimate that embezzlement and internal fraud cost U.S. businesses hundreds of billions of dollars each year, which is one reason companies, auditors, and prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively. In California, embezzlement accusations make up a significant portion of white-collar investigations, and law enforcement agencies often devote substantial resources to tracking money trails, electronic records, and financial transactions.
If you’re being investigated or charged, you need to take the situation seriously and move quickly. A single allegation can threaten your career, your reputation, your finances, and your freedom especially if prosecutors believe there was planning or intentional misconduct.
Working with a Cerritos embezzlement lawyer can help you understand what you’re facing, avoid costly mistakes, and build a defense strategy before the case gains momentum.
At The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates, our experienced embezzlement defense attorneys help clients fight serious theft-related allegations. We understand how these cases are built often through assumptions, incomplete records, and pressure from employers or business partners. Our job is to challenge the prosecution’s story, review the financial evidence, and protect your rights at every step. Don’t let an embezzlement accusation control your life. Contact us today to discuss your case and take the first step toward a strong defense. Learn more about our law firm.
Our office is located a short drive from Cerritos at 100 Oceangate, Suite 525, Long Beach, CA 90802, near the Long Beach Transit Mall, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and waterfront attractions. If you’re coming from Cerritos near Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos Towne Center, or the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, we’re easy to reach via major routes like South Street and nearby connectors. Call us at 562-216-2944 or use our contact form to begin building your defense.
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What Is Embezzlement?
In simple terms, embezzlement happens when someone who is trusted with money or property uses it for personal benefit without permission. Unlike other theft allegations, embezzlement usually involves a position of trust meaning the person had lawful access at first, but is accused of misusing that access.
Examples may include:
- An employee allegedly taking cash from a register or deposit
- A bookkeeper accused of diverting payments into a personal account
- A manager accused of using company funds for personal expenses
- A volunteer treasurer accused of misusing nonprofit funds
Even when there is a legitimate explanation such as accounting errors, disputed reimbursements, or unclear authorization companies may still accuse an employee or partner of wrongdoing. That’s why it’s critical to treat an embezzlement accusation as a high-stakes legal matter.
Who Gets Accused of Embezzlement in Cerritos?
Embezzlement cases can arise in businesses of all sizes from small family operations to large corporate employers. People commonly accused include:
- Employees in financial departments (cashiers, accounts payable staff, bookkeepers)
- Executives and managers with authority over budgets or approvals
- Nonprofit staff or volunteers who oversee donations or distributions
- Small business employees where controls are limited and duties overlap
Many people accused of embezzlement are not career criminals. In some situations, allegations arise from misunderstandings, poor bookkeeping systems, internal politics, or finger-pointing after a financial shortfall. Unfortunately, once an employer frames the situation as “theft,” investigators may look for evidence that supports that assumption rather than exploring alternative explanations.
Embezzlement Laws in California
In California, embezzlement is generally handled under the umbrella of theft crimes. Under California Penal Code Section 503, embezzlement can involve money, property, or other assets entrusted to someone. Prosecutors often focus heavily on intent—whether the accused intentionally used the property in a way that violated the trust relationship.
The amount involved may affect whether the charge is filed as a misdemeanor or felony:
Petty Theft Embezzlement (Under $950)
- Often charged as a misdemeanor
- Potential penalties may include up to one year in county jail, fines, and restitution
Grand Theft Embezzlement (Over $950)
- May be charged as a felony
- Potential penalties may include state prison exposure, heavier fines, and restitution obligations
In many cases, prosecutors also review whether the allegation involves an ongoing scheme, multiple transactions, or sophisticated record manipulation. Those factors can raise the stakes quickly.
Where Embezzlement Allegations Often Begin Around Cerritos
Embezzlement cases often start with an internal review sometimes after a missing deposit, a customer complaint, or a surprise audit. In Cerritos, allegations may arise in busy commercial zones near Los Cerritos Center, along corridors like South Street, Bloomfield Avenue, Carmenita Road, or Artesia Boulevard, where retail and business activity is constant.
Many cases begin quietly, an employer asks “questions,” requests access to records, or interviews employees. Others begin suddenly, with an arrest or a notice that charges have been filed. Either way, early legal guidance matters, especially before you speak to investigators or hand over records without understanding the risks.
We Can Build a Defense Against Embezzlement Charges
Embezzlement cases are evidence-heavy and detail-driven. The prosecution may rely on bank records, accounting logs, emails, text messages, and internal reports but those records can be incomplete, misinterpreted, or taken out of context.
A Cerritos embezzlement lawyer can help by:
- Reviewing financial records for gaps, inconsistencies, or alternative explanations
- Challenging assumptions about who had access or control
- Investigating whether authorization existed for transactions
- Looking for evidence of accounting errors or bookkeeping problems
- Challenging whether the prosecution can prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt
- Negotiating for reduced charges or alternative outcomes when appropriate
In some cases, the defense may focus on showing the alleged conduct was accidental, misunderstood, or not connected to the defendant at all. In others, it may involve challenging the legality of searches, seizures, or evidence collection.
Embezzlement FAQs
Can I avoid jail time?
In some cases, especially first-time offenses or situations involving smaller amounts, there may be options to avoid jail through negotiation, probation terms, or alternative sentencing. The best path depends on your facts and history.
Will a conviction stay on my record?
A conviction can appear on your criminal record and affect employment. Depending on eligibility and case outcome, record relief options may be available later, but the best strategy is preventing a conviction when possible.
What if I didn’t do it?
If you’re innocent, a strong defense may involve demonstrating lack of intent, lack of access, missing proof, or alternative explanations for financial discrepancies. Small details can make a major difference in white-collar cases.
Contact Our Cerritos Embezzlement Lawyer Today
An embezzlement allegation can be overwhelming, especially when your livelihood and reputation are at risk. You don’t have to face this alone. By working with a Cerritos embezzlement lawyer, you can protect your rights, challenge the evidence, and pursue the best possible outcome.
Call 562-216-2944 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation with The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates. We’re here to help.
