Embezzlement Lawyer Manassas Park, VA
An embezzlement charge in Manassas Park, Virginia, can upend your career, your reputation, and your future. Embezzlement is treated as a form of larceny under Va. Code § 18.2-111 and is prosecuted actively by the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Manassas Park. Whether the allegation involves company funds, entrusted property, or financial accounts, the designation of the offense—misdemeanor or felony—rests on the value of what was taken. Cases filed as petit larceny (under $1,000) are heard in Manassas Park General District Court, while grand larceny charges (valued at $1,000 or more) proceed as felonies through the Circuit Court. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor and Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been representing clients in Virginia criminal courts since 1997. He and his Of Counsel team appear regularly in Manassas Park, drawing on extensive combined legal experience to protect the rights of those facing embezzlement allegations. For a consultation, reach our firm at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Embezzlement Means in Manassas Park
Virginia law defines embezzlement as the wrongful and fraudulent use, disposal, concealment, or conversion of money or property that a person has received for another—such as an employer, client, or principal—in violation of a fiduciary duty. Va. Code § 18.2-111 punishes embezzlement according to the larceny grading system. When the value of the property is $1,000 or more, the charge is grand larceny, a felony that can carry a sentence of one to twenty years in prison (or, at the discretion of a jury, up to twelve months in jail). When the value is below $1,000, the charge is petit larceny, a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to twelve months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
In Manassas Park, embezzlement cases are handled through the Thirty-first Judicial District. Misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings take place at the Manassas Park General District Court, located at 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 230, Manassas, VA 20110. Felony jury trials and appeals from the General District Court go to the Manassas Park Circuit Court. The Commonwealth’s Attorney for Manassas Park prosecutes these matters. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has documented case results in Manassas Park across all practice areas, all with favorable outcomes. Results may vary. For certain qualifying misdemeanors, first-offender programs under Va. Code § 19.2-303.2 may allow for deferred disposition and eventual dismissal, but eligibility depends on the specific facts of each case. For acquittals or dismissals, expungement may be available under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Embezzlement Cases
From the moment a person learns of an investigation or arrest, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team work to build a well-prepared defense. Their approach begins with a careful examination of the prosecution’s evidence—financial records, communications, witness statements—and an assessment of procedural compliance. In embezzlement matters, the state must prove not only that property was converted but also that the accused acted with fraudulent intent and that a fiduciary relationship existed. Challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence, questions about accounting methods, or arguments that the transaction was authorized are often central to the defense.
The team appears in Manassas Park courts at every stage: bond hearings, preliminary hearings, pretrial motions, and, when necessary, jury trials. They also engage with the Commonwealth’s Attorney to explore case resolutions that may reduce the impact on the client’s record and liberty. Because embezzlement allegations frequently involve complex documentation, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel collaborate with forensic accountants and other attorneys, when appropriate, to challenge the state’s financial narrative. Every step is guided by the client’s goals, whether that is to negotiate a reduced charge, pursue a first-offender dismissal, prepare for trial, or seek post-conviction relief.
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 after serving as a prosecutor. His firsthand prosecutorial experience provides insight into how the Commonwealth prepares and presents embezzlement cases, which he applies to each client’s defense. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York.
Mr. Sris is joined by Of Counsel attorneys who contribute extensive combined legal experience. Together, the team brings a multi-state perspective and a deep familiarity with Manassas Park court procedures, rules of evidence, and sentencing practices. For embezzlement and other criminal matters, they are available to clients at every phase—from initial consultation through resolution. Reach our firm at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is embezzlement under Virginia law?
Embezzlement in Virginia is defined by Va. Code § 18.2-111 as the wrongful and fraudulent use, disposal, concealment, or conversion of money or personal property that has been entrusted to a person for the benefit of another. The statute treats embezzlement as a form of larceny, and the degree of the offense—misdemeanor or felony—depends on the value of the property taken. Because embezzlement involves a breach of a fiduciary or employment relationship, prosecutors often pursue these charges vigorously. An experienced embezzlement lawyer can examine the evidence for weaknesses in the state’s proof of intent or the existence of a fiduciary duty.
How does the court process work for an embezzlement charge in Manassas Park?
Misdemeanor embezzlement charges are tried in Manassas Park General District Court, while felony embezzlement cases begin with a preliminary hearing in General District Court and, if certified, proceed to trial in Manassas Park Circuit Court. At arraignment, a defendant enters a plea and the court sets bond. In General District Court, a judge alone decides the case; a defendant convicted there may appeal to Circuit Court for a new trial before a jury. In Circuit Court, a defendant has the right to a jury trial. At each stage, procedural deadlines and evidentiary rules apply, and having counsel present early can influence how the case is resolved.
What are the possible penalties for embezzlement in Manassas Park?
Penalties for embezzlement in Virginia are tied to the value of the property taken: if the value is $1,000 or more, it is grand larceny, a felony punishable by one to twenty years imprisonment (or up to twelve months in jail at the discretion of a jury); if the value is less than $1,000, it is petit larceny, a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to twelve months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A conviction also creates a permanent criminal record that can affect employment, professional licenses, and housing. For certain misdemeanors, first-offender programs under Va. Code § 19.2-303.2 may permit deferred disposition and dismissal upon successful completion of probation. Results may vary.
Can embezzlement charges be expunged in Manassas Park?
Virginia law allows expungement for charges that end in acquittal, nolle prosequi (prosecutor’s dismissal), or outright dismissal under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2, but generally not for convictions. A person whose embezzlement charge is dismissed or otherwise resolved without a conviction may petition the Manassas Park Circuit Court to seal the police and court records related to the charge. Obtaining an expungement can be an important step in clearing a person’s background, but the process has specific requirements and deadlines, so it is wise to seek legal advice early.
Do I need a lawyer for an embezzlement charge in Manassas Park?
Yes, because an embezzlement charge can result in incarceration, a substantial fine, and a lasting criminal record that affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Even a misdemeanor conviction for petit larceny can close doors to employment and professional licensing. An experienced attorney can evaluate whether the evidence supports a charge of embezzlement rather than a civil dispute, challenge procedural violations, and advocate for alternatives to conviction such as a first-offender program. In felony cases, the stakes are even higher, and skilled representation is critical at the preliminary hearing, where weaknesses in the prosecution’s case can sometimes lead to a dismissal or reduction.
How does Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach embezzlement defense?
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team begin by scrutinizing the prosecution’s financial evidence for inconsistencies, then work to challenge the state’s proof of fraudulent intent and the existence of a fiduciary relationship. They may retain forensic accountants to analyze records and may negotiate with the Commonwealth’s Attorney for a reduced charge or a deferred disposition where appropriate. If a trial is necessary, they prepare to cross-examine witnesses, present counter-evidence, and argue that the state has not met its burden. Throughout the process, they keep clients informed and build a strategy tailored to the specific facts of the case.
For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
If you are facing criminal charges elsewhere in the region, our firm also serves clients in: Fairfax County criminal defense lawyer, Prince William County criminal lawyer, Manassas City criminal lawyer, Falls Church criminal lawyer, and Fairfax City criminal lawyer.
For additional legal resources, see Virginia Code Title 18.2 (Crimes and Offenses) and Manassas Park General District Court.
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