In San Diego, an embezzlement accusation is a sophisticated crisis that strikes at the heart of your professional integrity. Unlike simple theft, embezzlement involves a “breach of fiduciary duty”—an allegation that you misused a position of trust for financial gain. Whether it involves a corporate account, a small business, or a non-profit, California law treats these cases with extreme severity. At the Law Offices of Logan Noblin, we specialize in forensic deconstruction to prove that a financial discrepancy is not a crime.
Don’t Let a Professional Misunderstanding End Your Career.
Embezzlement cases are rarely “open and shut.” They usually rely on a paper trail of spreadsheets, bank statements, and accounting logs. A standard defense lawyer might see a “missing” sum of money and assume you took it.
At the Law Offices of Logan Noblin, we know that accounting errors are not crimes. We employ forensic specialists to look for the “missing links”—bad bookkeeping, authorized expenditures that were miscategorized, or other employees with access to the same funds. We don’t just defend; we audit the prosecution’s case until their “proof” turns into “reasonable doubt.”
Defense In Every Corner
Challenging "Specific Intent to Defraud"
Embezzlement is a specific intent crime; if the funds were moved due to a misunderstanding, an accounting error, or a software glitch, no crime was committed. We prove that a financial discrepancy was an accident, not a “willful” act of theft.
The "Claim of Right" Defense
Under California law, you have a complete defense if you took the property openly and honestly because you believed you were entitled to it. Whether it was for unpaid commissions or a disputed bonus, we argue the act was a transparent business decision, not a crime.
Independent Forensic Audit
We don’t rely on your employer’s internal “investigation.” We bring in forensic accountants to reconstruct the ledger, often discovering that “missing” money was actually miscategorized business expenses, commingled funds, or errors by others with account access.
Challenging the "Fiduciary" Relationship
A conviction requires proof that you were in a specific “position of trust” regarding the property. If we can demonstrate you were an independent contractor or lacked legal “entrustment” of the assets, the embezzlement charge must be dismissed or reduced.
The Negotiation Pivot: Civil Compromise
Employers often prioritize financial recovery over jail time. By negotiating a Civil Compromise—where the employer is reimbursed and agrees to the dismissal—we can often resolve the matter privately and keep your criminal record clean.
Judicial Diversion Offensive
We bypass the prosecutor and petition the judge directly for Judicial Diversion (PC 1001.95). By completing a court-ordered path, the case is dismissed and your arrest record is sealed, ensuring your professional future remains protected.
The Wins
Despite the high dollar amount and the number of alleged incidents, Logan secured an outright dismissal of all felony charges. The client did not spend a single day in jail, paid zero dollars in additional restitution, and walked away with a completely clean record.
Our Proven 4-Step Blueprint
An embezzlement investigation in San Diego moves quickly, with employers and prosecutors working together to build a “breach of trust” narrative. Logan Noblin utilizes a tactical blueprint designed to intercept the paper trail and protect your professional standing before the case reaches the courtroom.
01
We do not accept the employer’s internal audit at face value. Many companies look for a scapegoat to cover up their own accounting errors or software glitches. We dig deeper:
02
The most critical work happens between the initial report and the filing of formal charges. Logan’s “Strategist” side is most lethal in this window:
03
If the case proceeds, we apply relentless pressure to remove the “Dishonesty” and “Breach of Trust” labels that threaten your career:
04
The ultimate goal is a clean slate. We prepare every case as if it is going to a jury to ensure we have the maximum leverage for a win:
Common Questions
Simple theft (larceny) involves taking someone else’s property without permission. Embezzlement (PC 503) specifically involves property that was legally entrusted to you (like a company bank account or inventory) which you then allegedly used for your own benefit.
Yes. Under California law, the intent to restore the property is not a legal defense to the crime itself. However, returning the funds can be used as powerful “mitigation” to help Logan negotiate for a dismissal or a reduced sentence.
No. It is a “wobbler.” If the value is $950 or less, it is typically a misdemeanor. If it exceeds $950, it can be charged as a felony. We fight to keep charges in the misdemeanor category to protect your professional future.
This is a strong defense. If you moved funds because you were directed to do so by a superior and had no criminal intent to steal, you are not guilty of embezzlement. We focus on the “lack of intent” to dismantle the prosecution’s case.
We hire independent experts to audit the company’s books. Often, what looks like “theft” is actually a pattern of sloppy bookkeeping, software errors, or authorized expenditures that were simply miscategorized by the employer.
Yes. In many misdemeanor cases, if the employer is fully reimbursed and signs a declaration stating they are satisfied, Logan can ask the judge to dismiss the criminal charges entirely, avoiding a permanent record.
An arrest will show up immediately. Because it is a “crime of moral turpitude” (dishonesty), it is a major red flag for employers. This is why our “Pre-Filing Intervention” is so critical—to stop the charge before it becomes a permanent conviction.
Yes. Professional boards view embezzlement as a disqualifying offense. Logan prioritizes defense strategies—like Judicial Diversion—that result in a dismissal, allowing you to report to your board that you have no conviction.
If the alleged embezzlement exceeds $100,000, prosecutors can add “enhancements” that lead to mandatory prison time. We focus on challenging the valuation of the loss to strip these enhancements away and keep you out of custody.
This is known as the “Claim of Right” defense. If you took the funds openly (not secretly) because you believed they were yours—such as for unpaid wages or commissions—you may have a complete defense to the charge.
Only the prosecutor can drop the charges, but the employer’s input carries significant weight. If we can reach a settlement or demonstrate the employer’s accounting was flawed, we can often persuade the DA to abandon the case.
We don’t accept the prosecution’s spreadsheets as fact. We look for “breaks” in the chain of custody of the money and identify other people who had access to the funds, creating the “reasonable doubt” necessary for an acquittal.
