{"id":376613,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:52","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-embezzlement-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-29T13:25:51","modified_gmt":"2018-03-29T18:25:51","slug":"texas-embezzlement-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-embezzlement-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Embezzlement Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Embezzlement Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Overview of Texas Embezzlement Laws<\/h2>\n

Texas embezzlement<\/a> laws fall under the law criminalizing theft<\/a>. Embezzlement is essentially financial theft by an employee. It can be considered white collar crime<\/a> in some instances but it does not have to be only a white collar offense. It occurs when the defendant is entrusted with his or her employer’s money or goods and then steals those money or goods. Many instances of embezzlement also involve elements of fraud<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Example: The employee working at a cash register of a retail store is entrusted with her employer’s money and goods. If the employee starts stealing money from the store, this is called embezzlement and falls under the crime of theft. Another example is a person who oversees corporate accounts. If this person begins to steal some of the money in those corporate accounts, this is also known as embezzlement.<\/p>\n

Texas Embezzlement Laws: An Overview<\/h2>\n

Below you will find key information on Texas embezzlement laws, penalties, and possible defenses. It is a good idea to speak with an attorney before admitting guilt or accepting a plea deal on any Texas criminal charges.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Elements of Embezzlement<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt<\/a> that the defendant appropriated property, such as money or goods, with the intent to deprive the true owner of the property without the owner’s consent. Some of the more well-known ways to be caught up in an embezzlement charge are the following:<\/p>\n

Possible Defenses <\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Texas embezzlement laws, or theft laws, provide for a number of different penalties upon conviction. The factor that determines the severity of the punishment if convicted on a charge of embezzlement is the amount or value of the goods, services or cash stolen. If you are considered a public servant and you commit embezzlement, you will face a higher penalty.<\/p>\n

Here is a breakdown<\/p>\n