People who work for a government entity, or for the public in some other service, are often entrusted with public funds. In most situations, the people that are responsible for these funds will do a good job of ensuring the money goes to the correct source. However, there are situations in which someone may take money from the public and use it for purposes that are not approved. In these situations, someone could be charged with embezzlement of public funds.
Someone who was charged with embezzlement of public funds could face some very serious penalties. In New York City, someone was charged with this crime could face imprisonment of up to 10 years as well as extremely stiff financial penalties. Since this is a fraudulent felony, it can also make it nearly impossible to ever get a job working for a government entity again. Due to the serious nature of this crime, it is often very wise to hire an attorney that has experience in this type of law. A New York City Embezzlement of Public Funds lawyer will be able to provide you with a variety of services.
Consultation
One of the most valuable services that an attorney will be able to provide you if you are charged with embezzlement of public funds is a consultation. Embezzlement of public funds is a very complicated law that could have a wide variety of outcomes. The attorney will be able to carefully review your case and discuss the situation with you and the prosecutors. They will then be able to explain to you what types of penalties you are facing and what your options are. This could include coming up with a way to settle the case outside of the court system or coming up with a plan of how to fight it during the criminal trial process.
Criminal Trial Defense
If you decide to pursue the case further in the legal court system, the embezzlement of public funds attorney will be able to help you in the criminal case process. There is a significant amount of work that goes into building a defense for this type of crime. The attorney will be able to work with you to come up with a good plan and strategy that could help to portray your case in the best light possible. They will then be able to present this case to the jury and judge in an attempt to convince them that you are not guilty of the crime that is being presented.
Another big part of this process will include deliberations. While there will be a significant amount of planning that goes into your criminal case, there will likely be things that will pop up during the trial process that you will not be prepared for. Having an attorney that is knowledgeable about this type of case will allow them to better predict situations and issues that could arise during the court process. This will help to ensure that you are prepared for all situations.
Appeals Process
Ultimately, the attorney will do everything that they can to make sure that your case is presented as well as possible. If you are not able to negotiate a fair plea agreement before the trial, there is a risk that you could lose the case and you are going to be sentenced based on the judges determination. In some situations, the judgment and the sentencing may not seem fair and the attorney will do everything they can to help appeal the process. This can include trying to appeal the initial sentencing or even appealing the entire case.
