During my time as a Michigan criminal defense attorney, and prosecutor in New York and Michigan, I've seen plenty of employees get arrested for making a poor decision at their job. The decision I'm referring to is stealing from your employer, or what I like to refer to as "tipping yourself". In Michigan, when you steal money from your employer, it's called embezzlement, when you steal from a store while not working, it's called retail fraud. Embezzlement is based on the relationship of trust to handle the money/property of the business.
A common scenario in Michigan is an employee who handles money at a cash register or a supervisory position where money is counted/handled. When you're handling money for your job, you're rightfully possessing and controlling that money, but when it enters your pocket or purse instead of the cash register, it turns into a crime. The penalty for Michigan embezzlement varies depending upon the value of the money or property. Embezzlement over $1,000 is a felony in the State of Michigan.
Lesson to be learned is don't give yourself a tip at work! It might be tempting to think that your rich and successful boss and/or company won't miss the money you're stealing, but it's not worth being charged with a felony. A felony conviction would really limit your future employment opportunities.
If you're charged with embezzlement in Michigan, it may be possible to have the crime reduced to a misdemeanor. As a prosecutor, I would regularly offer reduced plea bargains if the person charged was willing to fully financially reimburse the company and admit their guilt to a misdemeanor. Your success in achieving a similar outcome will depend on your criminal record, the Michigan attorney you hire to advocate on your behalf and whether or not the company is willing to give the ok to the prosecutor.
A common scenario in Michigan is an employee who handles money at a cash register or a supervisory position where money is counted/handled. When you're handling money for your job, you're rightfully possessing and controlling that money, but when it enters your pocket or purse instead of the cash register, it turns into a crime. The penalty for Michigan embezzlement varies depending upon the value of the money or property. Embezzlement over $1,000 is a felony in the State of Michigan.
Lesson to be learned is don't give yourself a tip at work! It might be tempting to think that your rich and successful boss and/or company won't miss the money you're stealing, but it's not worth being charged with a felony. A felony conviction would really limit your future employment opportunities.
If you're charged with embezzlement in Michigan, it may be possible to have the crime reduced to a misdemeanor. As a prosecutor, I would regularly offer reduced plea bargains if the person charged was willing to fully financially reimburse the company and admit their guilt to a misdemeanor. Your success in achieving a similar outcome will depend on your criminal record, the Michigan attorney you hire to advocate on your behalf and whether or not the company is willing to give the ok to the prosecutor.
