Embezzlement Lawyer Falls Church, VA
If you are facing an embezzlement charge in Falls Church, Virginia, the legal team you choose can substantially affect the direction of your case. Embezzlement under Virginia Code § 18.2‑111 is a theft offense that the Commonwealth prosecutes based on the value of the property alleged to have been taken — a misdemeanor when the value is less than $1,000 and a felony when it is $1,000 or more. A conviction can bring incarceration, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you long after any sentence is served. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, represents individuals in Falls Church and throughout Northern Virginia. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel draw on over 120 years of combined legal experience and a record of over 4,739 documented firm-wide results to build a carefully prepared defense for each client. Results may vary. Reach our Fairfax location at (888) 437‑7747 to schedule a consultation about your embezzlement matter. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders.
Under Virginia law, embezzlement is punished as larceny: if the value of the property taken is $1,000 or more, the charge is grand larceny (a felony punishable by 1 to 20 years imprisonment, or up to 12 months in jail at the discretion of a jury); if the value is less than $1,000, the charge is petit larceny (a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to 12 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.
What Embezzlement Means in Falls Church
Embezzlement occurs when a person who has been entrusted with another’s money or property wrongfully converts it to their own use. In Falls Church, these charges arise in a variety of settings — from employee theft of cash or merchandise to misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary or family member. Because the offense is graded by the dollar amount involved, the same underlying conduct can lead to a misdemeanor in the General District Court or a felony that moves to the Circuit Court. The Falls Church Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecutes these cases, and local law enforcement agencies, including the City of Falls Church Police Department, investigate them. The court at 300 Park Avenue, Suite 151W, Falls Church, VA 22046 handles all misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings; felonies are ultimately tried in the Falls Church Circuit Court.
Virginia law treats embezzlement seriously, and a conviction can affect employment, professional licenses, security clearances, and immigration status. Even a first-offense misdemeanor leaves a criminal record that employers and landlords may see. The procedural path in Falls Church follows the same framework as other Virginia localities: an initial appearance before a magistrate, a bond determination, an arraignment in General District Court, and — for felony charges — a preliminary hearing where the prosecutor must show probable cause to send the case to the grand jury. Throughout this process, an experienced defense attorney can evaluate the evidence, challenge procedural missteps, and negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney in an effort to obtain a reduction or dismissal. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has documented 6 favorable outcomes in Falls Church criminal matters, including 5 dismissals and 1 reduced charge. Results may vary.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Embezzlement Cases
Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and his Of Counsel team bring a practical understanding of both sides of the courtroom to every embezzlement defense. The team’s collective experience includes a former Virginia State Trooper who spent 15 years conducting criminal investigations, giving the firm a detailed, firsthand perspective on how law enforcement builds a financial-crimes case. This dual insight — prosecutorial and law‑enforcement — shapes the way the firm examines the state’s evidence: accounting records, witness statements, electronic communications, and the chain of custody of financial documents. The goal is to identify weaknesses in the Commonwealth’s proof, whether that means a lack of fraudulent intent, a misunderstanding about authorization, or a valuation error that affects the charge level.
During the pretrial phase, the firm works to preserve the client’s rights at every stage — from the bond hearing to the preliminary hearing in Falls Church General District Court. If the case proceeds, the team prepares for trial by engaging forensic accountants or other professionals when necessary and by developing a defense theory that is tailored to the specific facts. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel maintain open communication with the client, explaining the likely range of outcomes and the strategic options available at each turn. Because the Commonwealth’s Attorney has discretion to amend charges, the firm pursues every lawful avenue to resolve the matter favorably — whether through negotiation, a deferred disposition, or, if needed, a jury trial in the Circuit Court. All attorneys are Of Counsel engaged through Excella; no attorney is an employee of the firm.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing law since 1997. Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, he brings a multi‑state perspective to criminal defense and family law. Before founding the firm, Mr. Sris served as a prosecutor, an experience that informs his approach to each embezzlement case — he understands how prosecutors evaluate financial evidence and where the state’s case is most vulnerable. Mr. Sris has also testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee, most notably in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
Mr. Sris is joined by a team of Of Counsel attorneys who contribute thorough knowledge in criminal law. The group includes a former Virginia State Trooper who spent a career investigating criminal matters on the roads and in the communities of the Commonwealth, giving the firm a unique ability to scrutinize police reports, search warrants, and interview protocols. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience and a record of over 4,739 documented firm-wide results to the defense of embezzlement and other criminal charges. Results may vary. Every attorney is a non‑employee Of Counsel engaged through Excella.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is embezzlement under Virginia law?
Embezzlement under Virginia Code § 18.2‑111 is the wrongful taking of money or property that the accused was entrusted to hold for another — for example, by an employer, a client, or a family member. It is punished according to the value of the property taken: if the value is $1,000 or more, it is a felony; if less, it is a misdemeanor. The prosecution must prove that the accused acted with fraudulent intent, not merely that a mistake or dispute occurred. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether the evidence supports a charge of embezzlement or whether the matter is more properly a civil dispute.
What are the penalties for embezzlement in Falls Church?
The penalty depends on the value of the property taken. Petit larceny embezzlement (under $1,000) is a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Grand larceny embezzlement ($1,000 or more) is a felony punishable by 1 to 20 years imprisonment, or, at the discretion of a jury, up to 12 months in jail. Additional consequences can include restitution, probation, and a permanent criminal record. Cases are heard in Falls Church General District Court for misdemeanors and in Falls Church Circuit Court for felonies.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against embezzlement charges?
Defending an embezzlement charge begins with a careful review of the financial records, witness statements, and the defendant’s relationship to the property. A defense may show that the defendant lacked fraudulent intent — for instance, that they believed they were authorized to use the funds — or that the property was not actually entrusted to them. Challenging the valuation of the property can also reduce a felony to a misdemeanor. Pre‑trial motions to suppress evidence obtained unlawfully and negotiations with the Commonwealth’s Attorney are additional avenues that an experienced attorney can pursue.
What should I do if I am facing embezzlement charges in Falls Church?
If you are under investigation or have been charged, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer, and preserve all relevant financial documents and communications. Early involvement by counsel can influence bond conditions, the timing of the preliminary hearing, and whether the Commonwealth’s Attorney pursues the charge at all. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. is available at (888) 437‑7747 to discuss your situation.
Do I need a lawyer for an embezzlement charge in Falls Church?
You are not required to hire an attorney, but the consequences of a misdemeanor or felony embezzlement conviction — incarceration, fines, a permanent criminal record, and collateral effects on employment and professional licenses — are severe. An attorney who practices regularly in Falls Church courts can assess the evidence, advise you of your options, and advocate for the most favorable resolution possible, whether that is a dismissal, a reduction, or an acquittal at trial.
How does the court process work for embezzlement in Falls Church?
After an arrest, a magistrate sets bond. For misdemeanor embezzlement, the case is heard in Falls Church General District Court; for a felony, a preliminary hearing is held in that same court to determine whether probable cause exists. If a felony is certified, the case moves to the Falls Church Circuit Court for trial or a plea. At each stage, your attorney can challenge the prosecutor’s evidence and negotiate an amendment or dismissal. The timeline varies by case and court scheduling.
Related pages: Fairfax County criminal lawyer · Fairfax City criminal lawyer · Prince William County criminal lawyer
Virginia primary sources: Virginia Code Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses) · Falls Church Combined Courts · SCC business entity filings
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