Embezzlement Defense Lawyers for Northern Virginia.

The criminal defense attorneys at Livesay & Myers represent clients in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Manassas, Woodbridge, Stafford and Fredericksburg, Virginia charged with embezzlement and related offenses.

Definition of Embezzlement

Virginia law provides that "[i]f any person wrongfully and fraudulently use, dispose of, conceal or embezzle any money, bill, note, check, order, draft, bond, receipt, bill of lading or any other personal property, tangible or intangible, which he shall have received for another or for his employer, principal or bailor, or by virtue of his office, trust, or employment, or which shall have been entrusted or delivered to him by another or by any court, corporation or company, he shall be guilty of embezzlement."

Embezzlement Deemed Larceny

Virginia law further provides that conviction of embezzlement essentially amounts to conviction of larceny, especially for purposes of punishment. Specifically, Virginia law provides that any person convicted of embezzlement "shall be deemed guilty of larceny... and upon conviction shall be punished as provided" in Virginia Code sections 18.2-95 and 18.2-96 for larceny.

Grand Larceny

Virginia Code Section 18.2-95 defines grand larceny as

• larceny from the person of another of money or other thing of value of $5 or more,
• simple larceny not from the person of another of goods and chattels of the value of $200 or more, or
• simple larceny not from the person of another of any firearm, regardless of the firearm's value.

Grand larceny carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than twenty years or, in the discretion of the jury or court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for a period not exceeding twelve months and/or a fine of not more than $2,500.

Petit Larceny

Virginia Code Section 18.2-96 defines petit larceny as

• larceny from the person of another of money or other thing of value of less than $5, or
• simple larceny not from the person of another of goods and chattels of the value of less than $200.

Petit Larceny is punishable as a Class 1 Misdemeanor.