Embezzlement Lawyer
Simmrin Law Group
Among the white collar matters handled by Simmrin Law Group, embezzlement defense stands out as one of the more misunderstood charges the Burbank firm encounters. Led by attorney Michael "Mike" Simmrin, the practice treats these allegations as a distinct branch of its broader criminal defense work, recognizing that what popular films depict as an executive-level scheme can, in reality, arise at nearly any level of employment. The firm's office at 3500 W Olive Ave, Unit 314, in Burbank serves as the base for representing people accused of using entrusted property or money for their own benefit.
How Embezzlement Fits Into Simmrin Law Group's Practice
Simmrin Law Group is a criminal defense firm covering infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies at both the state and federal level. Embezzlement sits within its theft crimes and white collar crimes work, alongside identity theft, extortion defense, and general theft matters. What makes embezzlement cases particular is the element of trust: the accused was given lawful access to assets, which separates the charge from grand theft or simple theft. Because the person had legitimate access, suspicion can fall on anyone who was entrusted with the same funds or property, meaning an innocent employee may be swept into an investigation meant to uncover someone else's wrongdoing.
What an Embezzlement Charge Involves
Embezzlement is also described as employee theft, larceny, or misappropriation. Many cases involve a person with control over sizeable sums who assumed a small amount would go unnoticed, but the conduct can be as ordinary as using company equipment after hours to start a side business. To secure a conviction, the prosecution must establish four elements: that the owner entrusted the accused with the assets, that the owner placed trust in that person, that the property was used for the accused's benefit, and that the accused intended to deprive the owner of its use. Simmrin Law Group focuses on the gaps in that chain, because a person can be charged while having done nothing wrong.
| Aspect | What It Involves | Typical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Charge classification | Filed as a misdemeanor or felony in California | Value and type of property taken; existing criminal record |
| Misdemeanor exposure | Property valued under $950 | Up to one year in county jail and up to $1,000 in fines |
| Felony exposure | Property over $950, or involving a handgun or vehicle | Up to $10,000 in fines, up to three years in state prison, plus restitution |
| Special enhancements | Penal Code §186.11 factors | White collar enhancement over $100,000; elder theft; public-fund cases; multiple counts |
| Collateral effects | Consequences beyond sentencing | Harder access to jobs, higher education, loans, and rental housing |
Building a Defense
The firm's work centers on presenting evidence that explains or justifies the client's conduct. Showing that a client was misled, misinformed about the nature of a transaction, or genuinely believed they had a right to the property can lead a court to reduce or dismiss the charges. Common defensive positions include that someone else took the property and shifted blame, that the client was told they could use the money, that the client believed they legally owned the property, that there was no intent to steal, that the client did not realize property had been taken, or that the accusation is simply false. Alongside these arguments, the attorney prepares to rebut the prosecution's case on each of the four required elements.
What to Expect When Working With the Firm
- Reach the firm through its around-the-clock phone line for a free, no-obligation consultation about the accusation.
- Review how the alleged conduct maps against the four elements the prosecution must prove.
- Gather documentation and evidence that can explain, justify, or contradict the claimed misuse of assets.
- Identify whether the client is being used to cover another person's conduct or was misinformed about a transaction.
- Assess exposure, including whether Penal Code §186.11 enhancements or restitution obligations may apply.
- Develop a tailored strategy—one defense or a combination—based on the severity of the accusations.
- Guide the client through the Southern California legal system from charging decision to resolution.
Serving Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles Region
Simmrin Law Group works with clients across Los Angeles County from its Burbank location near Warner Bros. Studios. Its reach extends through neighboring communities including Toluca Woods, Magnolia Park, Studio City, the NoHo Arts District, North Hollywood, Glendale, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Sherman Oaks, Hancock Park, and Beverly Hills, along with landmark-anchored areas around Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign, and Universal Studios Hollywood. This footprint matters in embezzlement matters, where employers and workplaces across the region—from studio operations to small businesses near Magnolia Park and the Glendale Galleria—can each give rise to allegations that require local familiarity with how state and federal charges are handled.
What Sets the Firm's Approach Apart
Because a conviction can follow a person well beyond any sentence—affecting employment, higher education, loans, and housing—Simmrin Law Group emphasizes early involvement to reduce the risk of conviction. The firm describes an approach that treats clients like family while working to protect their rights, reputation, and future, and it maintains free consultations and 24-hour phone availability. For anyone facing an employee-theft or misappropriation allegation anywhere from Burbank to the wider Los Angeles area, that combination of white collar focus, plain guidance through the four required elements, and region-wide coverage defines how the firm handles this aspect of its criminal defense practice.
Getting here
From Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is about 4.2 miles from Simmrin Law Group, around a 10-minute drive. Head up Vine St to Franklin Ave, then take US-101 N toward Barham Blvd to reach the office.
Common questions
How hard is it to prove embezzlement in CA 91505?
Embezzlement can be challenging for prosecutors to prove because they must establish that the defendant was entrusted with property, held a fiduciary relationship, and intentionally converted the assets for personal use. Intent is often the hardest element to demonstrate. Simmrin Law Group, a Burbank-based criminal defense firm handling embezzlement cases across Los Angeles County, examines whether the prosecution can meet each of these burdens beyond a reasonable doubt.
What should you not tell an attorney in CA 91505?
Honesty with your own defense attorney is essential, since communications are protected by attorney-client privilege. The real caution is what you say to police, investigators, or others outside that relationship, as those statements can be used against you. Simmrin Law Group in Burbank guides clients through what to disclose and when, protecting their rights from arrest through resolution across Los Angeles County.
How much is an embezzlement charge in CA 91505?
In California, the severity of an embezzlement charge depends largely on the value of the property involved. Amounts over $950 generally qualify as grand theft, which can be charged as a felony, while smaller amounts may be treated as petty theft misdemeanors. Fines and restitution vary by case. Simmrin Law Group handles embezzlement matters throughout Los Angeles County, from Burbank to Glendale and beyond.
What is the punishment for embezzlement in California?
Punishment for embezzlement in California hinges on the amount taken and how the case is charged. Misdemeanor convictions can bring county jail time and fines, while felony grand theft embezzlement may carry longer incarceration, restitution, and probation. Prior records also matter. Simmrin Law Group, led by attorney Michael Simmrin, defends clients facing these charges at both state and federal levels across Southern California.
Can you avoid jail time for embezzlement in CA 91505?
Avoiding jail for embezzlement is possible in some cases through outcomes like probation, diversion programs, restitution agreements, or reduced charges, depending on the amount involved, the evidence, and the defendant's record. Every case is different. Simmrin Law Group in Burbank works with clients throughout Los Angeles County to explore alternatives to incarceration and protect their reputation and future while guiding them through the legal process.
Do police investigate embezzlement in CA 91505?
Yes. Embezzlement is often investigated by law enforcement, frequently alongside financial audits, forensic accountants, and evidence gathered from employers or financial institutions. These investigations can be lengthy and detailed. Simmrin Law Group, a criminal defense firm based in Burbank and serving Los Angeles County, represents people who are under investigation or facing charges, working to protect their rights from the earliest stages through resolution.
What tactics do defense lawyers use in CA 91505?
Defense attorneys use legitimate strategies such as challenging the sufficiency of evidence, questioning witness credibility, scrutinizing how investigations were conducted, and identifying constitutional violations. In embezzlement matters, they often focus on whether intent can truly be proven. Simmrin Law Group, led by attorney Michael Simmrin in Burbank, applies this kind of case analysis while guiding clients across Los Angeles County through infractions, misdemeanors, and felony charges.