What is Embezzlement under Penal Code 503 PC?
Although embezzlement used to be a crime in and of itself, it now falls under the umbrella of Penal Code 484 theft.2 Embezzlement is simply one way to commit a theft. In its very definition, theft refers to embezzlement. “Every person…who shall fraudulently appropriate property that has been entrusted to him/her…is guilty of theft”.3 The value of the property that you allegedly embezzle will determine whether you are penalized under Penal Code 487 grand theft or Penal Code 488 petty theft. The prosecutor will charge you with embezzlement as grand theft if the value of the embezzled property is worth more than $400, or if you embezzle a firearm (grand theft firearm), or a car (grand theft auto), regardless of their values.4 He/she will charge you with embezzlement as petty theft if the value of the allegedly embezzled property is worth $400 or less.
