Embezzlement Lawyer Alexandria, VA
You manage accounts payable for a business in Old Town Alexandria. For three years, every invoice was reconciled, every vendor paid. Then a routine audit flagged irregularities. An investigator asked questions you struggled to answer. Now you hold a summons directing you to appear at the Alexandria General District Court—charged with embezzlement under Va. Code § 18.2-111. The charge carries potential felony exposure. Your career, your reputation, and your freedom depend on what happens next. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team represent individuals facing embezzlement allegations in Alexandria, Virginia. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Defense Strategy for Embezzlement Charges in Alexandria
An embezzlement charge in Virginia turns on whether the Commonwealth can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you wrongfully converted property entrusted to you. Under Va. Code § 18.2-111, embezzlement is punished as larceny—meaning the value of the property allegedly taken determines whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. The prosecution must establish the existence of a fiduciary or employment relationship, that you received the property by virtue of that relationship, and that you intentionally misappropriated it.
Defense counsel scrutinizes each element. Was the property actually entrusted to you, or did someone else have access? Do the financial records support the allegation, or are there gaps in the paper trail? Was any shortfall the result of poor bookkeeping rather than criminal intent? In Alexandria, the Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes these cases. An experienced defense attorney examines the discovery, identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and determines whether pretrial resolution or trial is the appropriate course. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented firm-wide results to evaluating embezzlement allegations. Results may vary.
What to Expect When Facing an Embezzlement Charge
An embezzlement charge initiates in the Alexandria General District Court, located at 520 King Street, Second Floor. For a misdemeanor embezzlement charge—where the property value is under $1,000—the General District Court conducts the trial. For a felony charge based on property valued at $1,000 or more, the General District Court holds a preliminary hearing to determine whether probable cause exists to certify the case to the Alexandria Circuit Court.
At the preliminary hearing or trial, the Commonwealth presents its evidence. Your attorney has the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses and challenge the evidence. In felony cases certified to Circuit Court, you have an absolute right to a jury trial. The timeline for an embezzlement case in Alexandria varies depending on the court’s docket, the complexity of the financial records involved, and whether the parties engage in pretrial discussions. First-offender programs and deferred-disposition options may apply in certain circumstances. Engaging counsel early—before charges are filed when possible—preserves the broadest range of strategic options.
Penalties for Embezzlement Under Virginia Law
Virginia’s embezzlement statute does not set a standalone penalty. Instead, Va. Code § 18.2-111 provides that a person convicted of embezzlement is guilty of larceny, with punishment determined under the general larceny grading provisions. The distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction turns on the value of the property involved.
Embezzlement in Virginia is punished as larceny: grand larceny for property valued at $1,000 or more carries a potential sentence of one to twenty years in prison; petit larceny for property valued below $1,000 is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to twelve months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Source: Va. Code §§ 18.2-111, 18.2-95, 18.2-96. Virginia Code – Embezzlement
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.
A felony conviction also carries collateral consequences beyond incarceration and fines. A felony record affects employment opportunities, professional licensing, voting rights, and firearm possession rights. For non-citizens, a conviction may trigger immigration consequences including removal or inadmissibility. These long-term repercussions make it important to approach an embezzlement charge with a thorough defense from the outset. The Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney may agree to amend charges where the facts and a defendant’s circumstances warrant it. Every case is unique, and the appropriate strategy depends on the specific evidence and the client’s objectives.
For a detailed statutory analysis of Virginia embezzlement law, see our comprehensive overview.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded the firm in 1997. A former prosecutor, he has practiced criminal defense for his entire career in private practice and is admitted to the bars of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). His Of Counsel team includes a former Virginia State Trooper who served fifteen years in law enforcement, conducting criminal investigations across Virginia—experience that informs the firm’s approach to challenging prosecution evidence in embezzlement and financial-crime cases.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary. The firm appears regularly in Alexandria General District Court and Alexandria Circuit Court on behalf of clients facing criminal charges. The firm’s Arlington location at 1655 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 700, Room 719, serves clients in Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, and surrounding communities. By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the legal definition of embezzlement in Virginia?
Embezzlement in Virginia occurs when a person wrongfully and fraudulently uses, disposes of, conceals, or appropriates money or property that they received on behalf of another—typically an employer, principal, or client. Va. Code § 18.2-111 governs the offense and provides that embezzlement is punished as larceny, with the grade of the offense determined by the value of the property taken. The distinction between embezzlement and ordinary theft is the existence of a relationship of trust or entrustment between the accused and the alleged victim.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against embezzlement charges?
Defense strategies for embezzlement in Alexandria may include challenging the evidence of intent, examining whether the property was actually entrusted to the accused, identifying deficiencies in the financial investigation, and negotiating with the Commonwealth’s Attorney. An experienced defense attorney evaluates the specific facts under Va. Code § 18.2-111 to determine whether the prosecution can establish each element of the offense. Early engagement with counsel allows for a thorough review of records before charges or court deadlines narrow the available options.
What should I do if I am facing embezzlement charges in Alexandria?
If you are facing embezzlement charges in Alexandria, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer—statements made to investigators, coworkers, or on social media can become evidence. Preserve all relevant documents and financial records, but do not attempt to reconstruct or alter them. The court deadlines and procedural requirements under Virginia law move quickly, and prompt action preserves strategic options that may be lost through delay. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Is embezzlement a felony or misdemeanor in Virginia?
Embezzlement may be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the value of the property allegedly taken. If the property is valued at $1,000 or more, the charge is grand larceny—a felony punishable by one to twenty years in prison. If the property is valued below $1,000, the charge is petit larceny—a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to twelve months in jail and a $2,500 fine. The grading is determined by the Commonwealth’s assessment of the property value at the time of charging.
Do I need an embezzlement lawyer if the amount is small?
Yes. Even a petit larceny embezzlement conviction—a Class 1 misdemeanor for property under $1,000—carries a potential jail sentence of up to twelve months and a permanent criminal record. A conviction can affect employment background checks, professional licenses, security clearances, and, for non-citizens, immigration status. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether the evidence supports the charge, whether procedural or substantive defenses apply, and whether alternatives to conviction—such as deferred disposition or charge amendment—may be available in your case.
Where are embezzlement cases heard in Alexandria?
Embezzlement cases in Alexandria are heard in the Alexandria General District Court for misdemeanor charges and for preliminary hearings on felony charges. The court is located at 520 King Street, Second Floor, Alexandria, Virginia 22320. Felony embezzlement cases are ultimately tried in the Alexandria Circuit Court after certification from the General District Court. The Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Alexandria prosecutes embezzlement cases in both courts. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Speak With an Embezzlement Defense Attorney in Alexandria
An embezzlement allegation can disrupt your career and your life. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel provide experienced representation to individuals facing embezzlement charges in Alexandria General District Court, Alexandria Circuit Court, and throughout Northern Virginia. The firm’s Arlington location is at 1655 Fort Myer Drive, Suite 700, Room 719, Arlington, VA 22209—minutes from the Alexandria courthouse. By appointment only. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation, or reach the Arlington location directly at (703) 589-9250.
Virginia Code Title 18.2 – Crimes and Offenses · Alexandria Circuit Court · Criminal Defense in Fairfax County · Criminal Defense in Prince William County · Criminal Defense in Arlington
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