Grand theft under California Penal Code § 487 is what California criminal law calls a “wobbler” — an offense that can be charged or sentenced as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the facts, the defendant’s record, and the prosecutor’s exercise of discretion. The wobbler status matters because the difference between a misdemeanor…
You may have heard the term embezzlement before, but what exactly does this word mean? The term embezzlement is defined in Penal Code 503 as “…the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted.” For example, let’s say David was the person in charge of the cash register at the…
Mortgage fraud covers a wide range of crimes, all pertaining to funding for a home. People often falsify information so that they can get a mortgage that they can’t really afford. Real estate professionals can also be found guilty of mortgage fraud. They can work with other professionals to flip houses. By working with appraisers,…
It is scary and unsettling for someone to accuse you of a crime as serious as embezzlement. While those feelings are understandable, it doesn’t mean that you are guilty. You may be the victim of someone who is trying to set you up or even a simple misunderstanding. What Constitutes Embezzlement Under California Law? California…
Six Inland Empire residents have been arrested after authorities came to believe that they participated in a scheme to defraud elderly people in Nebraska and Texas out of thousands of dollars. According to the Press Enterprise, the alleged swindlers would call elderly people and pretend to be that person’s grandchild. The scam artist would have…
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Southwest Riverside County, time is critical. Contact the Law Office of Nic Cocis today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
