Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Embezzlement cases have always been a large part of my Criminal Practice. Having handled countless Embezzlement charges in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties, I've grown to like them. I have written a number of Embezzlement articles on this blog, and have given the subject a concise overview on my website. Instead of rehashing the whole process of being contacted by a Police Detective (or Loss Prevention person from a company) and how to assert your right to not incriminate yourself, all the way to how these cases are usually resolved, this article will focus more on why the investigation into an allegation of embezzlement is usually quite different in character from the investigation into any other alleged Criminal Offense.

In the first instance, there is almost never a situation where the Police discover "Embezzlement" without there having first been a report from an outside source. Other kinds of Criminal charges, such as DUI, or Possession of Controlled Substances, or even Indecent Exposure, are discovered, or "happened upon" by the Police as part of their routine patrols. That doesn't happen with Embezzlement.

Most often, an employer suspects Embezzlement by an employee after the discovery of something "strange." Here is where the scenarios can be all over the map. In some cases, a little "skimming" may have gone unnoticed for years and years. In other cases, a suspected monetary shortfall is questioned, and irregularities turn up. Embezzlement charges can involve things from unauthorized charges on an employee charge card or expense account, to the distribution of funds through bogus checks, sales commissions paid, or merchandise obtained from "fake" sales, as well as just about anything else you can imagine where merchandise, money or "value" has been diverted from the employer.

Whatever else, Embezzlement charges arise because something "irregular" is noticed. I've seen cases where the person in a particular position has been out sick, or transferred to another duty, and the new person covering their old position, in trying to figure out how to do things, has discovered that things don't quite add up. Sometime, a business, while conducting an audit, finds the "blackjack math." However it is found out, someone, somewhere, spots some detail that doesn't seem right, and that becomes the spark that leads to a further inquiry.

Once that further inquiry begins, things usually fall together pretty quickly. Over the years, I've received loads of calls from people rather nervous about being contacted by their boss, or some "superior" from their company. As I explore what's going on, I learn that usually, some financial irregularity has been discovered, and the employer has decided to dig deeper into things. Often, the person at the center of it all is hoping to come up with a sufficient explanation to cause the matter to be dropped, but in real life, that never happens. Once an employer finds that the math doesn't add up, they'll keep looking. After all, it's not as if an employer finds out that its bank balance has been inexplicably credited with extra money from some unknown source. Once any normal person catches a whiff that they're being shorted, they'll follow that scent to wherever it leads.

At the point that an employer suspects someone particular of Embezzlement, things can go in many different directions. In a smaller workplace, there is often an immediate confrontation with the suspected employee. In larger companies, the employee may have no idea he or she is being investigated. Companies large enough to have a Loss Prevention Department may set up surveillance of the person, and let them continue to work, unaware that their actions are being closely watched.

Continue reading "How Michigan Embezzlment Charges are Investigated" »

In almost every Michigan Embezzlement case, a Police Detective first contacts the person who is ultimately charged before any charges are ever brought. In my role as a Criminal Defense Lawyer, I am frequently contacted right after someone receives their first call from the Police. Nervous, and wondering what to do (as well as what not to do), they find my website section about Embezzlement or my various articles on the subject. They read a little, then, they call my Office.

If you've been contacted by the Police, then you know that sinking feeling. If you've actually talked with a Detective, you likely hung up the phone scared out of your wits, and knowing you need help. I hate anything that sounds like scare tactics, but it's just a fact that if you are facing a potential Embezzlement charge, you need competent and specialized legal protection. I provide that.

I really can't remember when or why Embezzlement cases became such a mainstay of my Criminal Practice, but in the last number of years, I've handled countless such cases in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. It seems that I have a certain aptitude and skill in handling these cases, and those qualities are repeatedly honed by frequent experience handling them. And for all of that, I rather like these cases...

Part of this, I think, has to do with my attitude and disposition toward my Clients. I've seen Embezzlement cases of every kind and stripe, from the simple to the complex. I've handled cases where a "little" bit of money didn't make it into the employer's deposit, until it added up to a substantial amount, to situations where goods or services were sent, or payments were made, to fictional persons or companies. In fact, if you can imagine it, I've probably seen it. Whatever else, a person dealing with an Embezzlement case needs to have a Lawyer who is non-judgmental and works to make things better for them.

In order to make things better, however, I have to assume the role of a diplomat. Many of the cases I handle are pretty clear-cut, and the evidence against my Client is pretty strong. In these cases, I have to be able to work with the Prosecutor and the Detective in charge of the case, and, most importantly, with the Judge, in order to make things materially better for my Client. And make no mistake about it, "better" means no Jail.

In other cases, a vindictive former employer may be driving the charge against a person, or, if there's anything to the charge, at least ratcheting up the amount of money involved. This can be tricky. A person may be on the hook for "X" amount of money. Yet when the former employer, who, in an embezzlement case, is called the "victim," claims losses more than that, the sympathy factor for the Defendant is pretty low, and he or she has a hard time being heard. Nobody is really worried that the "bad guy" (or gal) is being overcharged, legally or financially. Except me; I am.

Continue reading "Embezzlement in Michigan - Hire the Right Lawyer" »

It wasn't that long ago that I wrote a 2-part article about the increasing number of Embezzlement cases that I am handling. As I noted in that article, the increase in my Practice mirrors a larger trend beyond the doors of my Office. I can only surmise that these tough economic times have driven people to engage in behavior that they would not otherwise even consider.

Having dealt with so many of these cases recently, I thought we'd examine them from an emotional, and real-world point of view, rather than just hold Embezzlement charges up for yet another legal analysis.

The majority of Embezzlement cases I see involve women being charged. That's not to say that men are a distinct minority, but in almost every other kind of charge, the ratio of men charged, as opposed to women, is pretty high. Men commit more crimes than women. Embezzlement cases flip that on its head.

The amount of money taken (or lost, as in the case of those who take or otherwise handle property), by the time the case is brought, is usually quite high. I haven't seen more than one Embezzlement case involving less than $20,000 in a long time, and many involve amounts in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the smaller case I just mentioned, a male Client had pilfered a few pairs of jeans and some tools from his employer, a large retail company. He didn't realize that he had been observed on camera. His case was worked out so that he avoided getting a Criminal Record.

Most of these cases begin with a call from a Police Detective, or and investigating Police Officer. This is usually when I get called. Often, the person is somewhat conflicted about just getting this off their chest and hoping that it can somehow go away. They need direction, even if they already know any Lawyer worth a nickel is going to tell them not to say anything.

At this point, the Police almost always already have the information they need to bring the charge, anyway. The "charging" document is called a "Warrant." If they didn't have enough information to get a Warrant, then it would, of course, make little sense to go in and give them the missing piece or pieces needed to bring a case. This is why I always advise anyone to contact a Lawyer BEFORE they go to the Police Station, or make any kind of statement.

Continue reading "Facing Embezzlement Charges in Michigan and Dealing With the Emotional Implications" »

In part 1 of the article, we began our examination of Embezzlement cases. We looked at a few typical scenarios that usually precede, if not announce the coming of an Embezzlement charge, and some of the emotional and psychological elements that are typically present.

In this 2nd part, we'll pick up by reviewing some of the more, practical, real-life legal considerations and steps one can expect as an Embezzlement case proceeds through the Court system.

Most Embezzlement cases are Felonies. If they weren't already scared enough, when the person hears about the potential to go to Prison for a certain number of years, they freak out. For whatever reason, the vast majority of Embezzlement cases I see involve amounts of money well over $10,000, and many involve amounts involving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

When they think about someone who steals a wallet stuffed with hundreds of dollars being thrown in Jail, a person facing an Embezzlement charge, where the amounts involved are umpteen times higher, rather naturally wonders they're prison-bound.

Then I'm hired, and the first thing I tell the Client is that there won't be any Prison. Most of the time, these cases can be worked out with no Jail. This, I explain, is what you're paying for.

As with all Felonies, Embezzlement cases follow a certain protocol. There is an Arraignment, a Preliminary Examination, a Circuit Court Arraignment and First Conference, followed by a Pre-Trial conference. Sometimes, multiple Pre-Trial conferences are held.

Eventually, unless there is some way to beat the case, a Plea-bargain is produced. This will have several benefits to the Client beyond just sounding good. A reduced charge can change the Sentencing outcome, and can be largely responsible for avoiding any kind of Jail. Beyond that, it does, to some extent, soften the impact to the person's Criminal Record.

Continue reading "Facing an Embezzlement Charge in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne County - Part 2" »

Recently, in my Criminal Practice, I have noticed a fairly significant increase in the number of Embezzlement cases for which I am hired. Most often, when I Represent someone facing an Embezzlement charge, I come to find that they are deeply remorseful for what's happened, but often felt like they fell into some kind of trap. This article will examine the "what's what" of an Embezzlement charge.

Most of these cases begin with a phone call. Usually, a person will be contacted either by a Police Detective, or a Loss Prevention Officer from the Company involved. When Loss Prevention calls, they usually schedule an appointment for the person (most often an employee) to come in and talk. When a Police Detective calls, he or she will typically ask the person to come in a give "their side" of the story. Sometimes, however, they will be a bit more forceful, and indicate that if the person does not come in, they will get a Warrant.

Often, but not always, I'll be contacted by someone before they call the Police Detective back. They're afraid, they have a good idea why they're being called, and the thought of going into an interview room in the Police Station doesn't sound too inviting. Yet, they wonder, is there a way that I might still be able to avoid a charge? What if I just keep quiet, and don't say anything? Maybe they need me to admit to something to build their case.

While I understand that, at least in theory, there is probably an exception out there, in my 20+ years of Practicing Law, I have never known a Detective to call someone when they didn't already have enough information to get a Warrant (remember, a Warrant is based upon "probable cause") charging the subject with the crime. The reason they call is to simply "wrap up" the loose ends of the case, which essentially means get a confession. The kind of Warrant we're talking about here is an Arrest Warrant, meaning that the Police are directed to apprehend a person and bring them to Court to face the charge or charges.

When I'm contacted by someone wanting to know what to do next, I will usually call the Detective myself. My job, of course, is to protect the Client. Still, in the 20+ years I've been doing this, I've never spoken with a Detective who didn't have enough information to get a Warrant. Thus, I inform them that my Client won't be coming in to say anything about the case, but I'm also very diplomatic in telling them that, once they get the Warrant, I'll present the Client for processing. This means being booked and printed, as well as being Arraigned by a Judge or Magistrate. The whole goal of this is to make sure the Client will be Arraigned and released upon either a Personal (meaning they need no money) Bond, or get one that they can post right away. This is most often done through my dealings with the Detective, and the establishing of a good relationship with him or her.

In other words, all that unpleasant and scary stuff is pre-arranged, and the person doesn't have to worry about being stuck in Jail and making friends with their new cellmate.

Continue reading "Facing an Embezzlement Charge in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne County - Part 1" »

Most often, it goes like this: My office receives a call from someone who has been contacted by the Police (usually, a Detective) who wants to talk to them about an embezzlement case. In almost all of the cases, the person used to work for the person or company that went to the Police. The person calling my office is scared, and doesn't want to say anything that will make matters worse. It is not uncommon for the caller to have been told by the Police that if they do not give "their side" of the story, the Police will get a Warrant.

The caller wants to come in and is willing to pay whatever the cost in order to get some sound Legal advice.

And then I surprise them by telling them that the best advice is so simple, it would be a crime in itself to charge them for it: Just shut up.

In another article on this Blog, I explained what to do (and, more importantly, what NOT to do) when a Police Detective calls. As explained in detail there, in almost every case I've ever seen, by the time the Police call, they already have enough evidence to go ahead and get a Warrant charging the person with a crime. In that sense, the Police are being completely (and maybe too) honest. Think about the message the Police either leave or pass on: If you don't call, we'll get a Warrant. In order to do that, they need to establish "Probable Cause" to the Judge, and they're already indicating that they have it.

Therefore, about the only thing a person can say that would help out is something to the effect of "that wasn't me - I was living in Arizona during that whole time period, never was here in Michigan, and I can prove it." Anything other than that is just another nail in their coffin.

My advice in those cases is always to be polite and cooperative - return the call, and tell the Police you'll come in to be processed (meaning "booked" and "Arraigned"), but don't want to say anything or answer any questions. I tell the caller they can tell the Police they are "exercising their 5th amendment right against self-incrimination on the advice of Counsel." You've at least seen that one on TV, or in the movies, right?

Continue reading "Embezzlement Crimes in Michigan - Macomb, Oakland and Wayne County Cases" »