Embezzlement Lawyer Near Me
When a search for “embezzlement lawyer near me” brings you to this page, you are likely facing an investigation or a charge that puts your career, your reputation, and your freedom at risk. Embezzlement is a serious theft offense in Virginia. A conviction can mean incarceration, a permanent felony record, and the loss of professional licenses that took years to earn. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents clients across Virginia who have been accused of embezzlement—from Roanoke and the Shenandoah Valley to Northern Virginia and the Richmond area. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, founded the firm in 1997. He and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive experience to financial-crime defense, examining the documents, accounting records, and investigative steps that the Commonwealth relies on. Early legal involvement is critical. If you are searching for an embezzlement lawyer, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Embezzlement Means in Virginia
Under Virginia law, embezzlement is defined by Va. Code § 18.2-111. The statute treats embezzlement as a form of larceny: when a person wrongfully and fraudulently uses, disposes of, conceals, or embezzles money, property, or other assets that they received for another person or for an employer, principal, or bailee, they are deemed guilty of larceny. The grading of the offense—whether it is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony—follows the same thresholds that apply to larceny under Va. Code § 18.2-95 and § 18.2-96. The value of the property or funds at issue determines the charge level and the potential sentence. A felony conviction carries the possibility of state incarceration and a record that follows the person for life.
Prosecutors in Virginia—whether in Roanoke City Circuit Court, Roanoke County General District Court, or any of the Commonwealth’s thirty-one judicial districts—treat embezzlement as a breach-of-trust offense. The alleged victim is often an employer, a business partner, a nonprofit organization, or a family member who entrusted the accused with access to funds or property. The Commonwealth’s case typically rests on financial records, bank statements, accounting reports, and testimony about who had access to what and when. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has experience examining these kinds of financial evidence. Mr. Sris’s background in accounting and information systems—developed at George Mason University and applied in practice since 1997—informs his approach to cases that turn on ledgers, spreadsheets, and digital records.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Embezzlement Cases
An embezzlement investigation often begins quietly. An employer notices a discrepancy, an auditor flags an irregularity, or a business partner questions a transaction. By the time law enforcement is involved, a paper trail has already been assembled. The first step our firm takes is to review that paper trail independently—identifying what the Commonwealth has, what it may be missing, and whether the investigation followed proper procedures. Embezzlement cases are document-intensive. The defense may involve challenging the forensic accounting, establishing a lack of fraudulent intent, or demonstrating that the accused had authority to use the funds in question.
Virginia criminal procedure gives the accused certain rights. A person charged with a felony embezzlement offense has the right to a preliminary hearing in the General District Court and, if the charge is certified, a jury trial in the Circuit Court. Misdemeanor charges are tried in the General District Court, with an absolute right to appeal for a trial de novo in the Circuit Court. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in courts throughout Virginia, from the Roanoke Valley to Fairfax County. The timeline of a case depends on the court’s docket, the volume of discovery, and the complexity of the financial evidence. Every case is different, and the strategy is built on the specific facts of the matter.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. He is a former prosecutor who has practiced criminal defense since founding the firm in 1997. His background in accounting and information systems gives him a practical understanding of the financial records that often form the backbone of an embezzlement prosecution. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys include practitioners with backgrounds in law enforcement and prosecution. They collaborate with Mr. Sris on criminal defense matters across Virginia. The firm maintains locations in Fairfax, Richmond, Shenandoah, and Arlington, and serves clients in Roanoke, Botetourt County, Bedford County, and throughout the Commonwealth. To discuss an embezzlement matter with Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, call (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is embezzlement under Virginia law?
Embezzlement in Virginia is the wrongful and fraudulent use, disposal, concealment, or taking of money or property that a person received for another, including an employer or principal. The offense is defined by Va. Code § 18.2-111 and is punished as larceny. The value of the property or funds involved determines whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. A conviction can result in incarceration, fines, restitution, and a permanent criminal record that affects employment and professional licensing. The Commonwealth must prove fraudulent intent beyond a reasonable doubt.
Do I need a lawyer if I am under investigation for embezzlement?
Yes—you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as you learn of an embezzlement investigation. Investigations often begin before an arrest, and statements you make to an employer, an auditor, or law enforcement can be used against you. An attorney can communicate with investigators on your behalf, work to preserve and review evidence, and advise you on how to proceed before charges are filed. Early representation can affect whether charges are brought at all and, if they are, what the initial bond and conditions of release will be.
Can embezzlement charges be reduced or dismissed in Virginia?
Embezzlement charges can be reduced or dismissed depending on the strength of the evidence, the availability of defenses, and the prosecutor’s assessment of the case. Possible defenses include lack of fraudulent intent, authorization to use the funds, mistake of fact, or insufficient evidence of the value of the property. In some cases, restitution paid before a plea or trial can affect the outcome, though it does not automatically resolve the criminal charge. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts and works to achieve the trusted resolution. Results may vary.
How does the court process work for an embezzlement case in Roanoke?
An embezzlement case in Roanoke follows Virginia criminal procedure: an initial appearance, a preliminary hearing in the General District Court for felony charges, and trial in the General District Court for misdemeanors or in the Circuit Court for felonies. Roanoke City General District Court and Roanoke County General District Court handle misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Felony trials take place in the Roanoke City Circuit Court or Roanoke County Circuit Court. The Commonwealth’s Attorney for each jurisdiction prosecutes the case. The timeline depends on the court’s calendar and the complexity of the evidence.
What should I do if an employer accuses me of embezzlement?
Do not discuss the accusation with your employer, human resources, or coworkers, and do not attempt to explain or justify any transactions without legal counsel. Anything you say can be relayed to law enforcement and used in a criminal prosecution. Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Preserve all documents, emails, and records that may relate to the allegation, but do not alter or destroy anything. An attorney can advise you on how to respond to the employer while protecting your legal interests.
Does an embezzlement conviction affect professional licenses in Virginia?
Yes—an embezzlement conviction can result in the suspension or revocation of professional licenses in Virginia, including licenses for accountants, real estate agents, contractors, healthcare professionals, and attorneys. Licensing boards in Virginia have the authority to discipline license holders for criminal convictions involving fraud, dishonesty, or breach of trust. The specific consequences depend on the licensing body’s regulations and the nature of the conviction. An attorney can advise on the potential collateral consequences of a plea or conviction before you make any decisions about your case. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Embezzlement in Virginia is defined and punished under Va. Code § 18.2-111, which treats the offense as larceny and grades the charge according to the value of the property or funds involved.
Source: Virginia Code § 18.2-111. Va. Code § 18.2-111
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Under Va. Code § 18.2-95 and § 18.2-96, grand larceny applies to property valued at $1,000 or more and is a felony; petit larceny applies to property valued at less than $1,000 and is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Source: Virginia Code §§ 18.2-95, 18.2-96. Va. Code § 18.2-95
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
Virginia criminal defense resources:
Virginia Code Title 18.2 — Crimes and Offenses
Virginia Judicial System — Court Information
Related pages:
Virginia Criminal Defense Overview ·
Theft and Larceny Defense in Virginia ·
Fraud Defense Attorney Virginia
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.