In Michigan, a conviction for the crime of embezzlement can carry with it very harsh consequences, including up to 20 years in prison; and up to life in prison with prior offenses. Defending against an accusation of embezzlement requires an experienced Michigan embezzlement attorney with a high level of expertise and training. If you are charged with any financial crime, you owe it to yourself to secure the best possible defense. Cronkright Law offers its clients the benefit of decades of experience successfully defending embezzlement cases.
Michigan Embezzlement Law
The Michigan Embezzlement Statute is MCL 750.174. In Michigan, the crime of Embezzlement is usually committed by an employee taking money or property and using it for their own benefit. Under this statute, Embezzlement is a crime that can only be committed by someone in a formal relationship with the person or organization being embezzled. The actual statutory list includes agent, employee, servant, trustee, employee, bailee or custodian. A person in one of those categories commits this crime if he / she takes property or money, then hides it or converts it to a personal use. In the vast majority of embezzlement cases, the person accused is either an employee or an agent.
Embezzlement Penalties in Michigan
Michigan law sets embezzlement penalties based upon the dollar amount or value of property embezzled. The maximum possible sentences range from 93 days in jail to 20 years in prison.
The basic sentencing scheme is as follows:
| Dollar Amount | Maximum Jail / Prison | Fine |
| Under $200.00 | 93 days | $500.00 |
| $200.00, but less than $1,000.00 | 1 year | $2,000.00 |
| $1,000.00 but less than$ 20,000.00 | 5 years | $10,000.00 |
| $20,000.00, but less than $50,000.00 | 10 years | $15,000.00 |
| $50,000.00, but less than 100,000.00 | 15 years | $25,000.00 |
| Over $100,000.00 | 20 years | $50,0000.00 |
Michigan Embezzlement Sentencing Enhancements
Michigan criminal embezzlement code allows for increases in the sentence beyond the statutory sentences when certain factors are present in the case. Amongst those are:
- Prior convictions for embezzlement
- Prior felony convictions of any kind
- Money is embezzled from a non-profit or charitable organization
WE CAN HELP
If you are facing charges for embezzlement, we can help. Call us to schedule your free consultation. Jail consultations may involve a nominal fee. We defend against financial crimes charges in all state courts in the lower peninsula of Michigan, in the Eastern Federal District Courts and in the Western Federal District Courts.
We also defend against accusations of:
- Racketeering
- Theft
- Fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
- Financial Transaction Device Crimes
- Uttering and Publishing
- Robbery
- Retail Fraud
- Obtaining Money under False Pretenses
- Continuing Criminal Enterprises
Where we practice:
We defend clients in State and Federal Courts throughout Michigan, including
- Genesee County
- Berrien County
- Ingham County
- Isabella County
- Oakland County
- Jackson County
- Muskegon County
- Tuscola County
- Kent County
- Eastern Federal District Court
- Western Federal District Court
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
