Were You Accused of Employee Theft? Here Are the Steps You Should Take
If you’ve been accused of theft in at work by your employer and wondering what steps to take, Schill Law Group in Phoenix is here to help. After being accused of theft at work you could be facing two types of consequences: termination and/or criminal prosecution. Obviously, accusations of theft at work are extremely serious and could not only affect your immediate livelihood, but also your employment for years to come. It’s important that you try to remain calm and carefully work to sort out the situations. The steps you will need to take will largely depend on understanding the details of your unique situation. For situations in which you need legal representation, Schill Law Group handles accusations of theft at work in Arizona regularly and will help you navigate this stressful, complicated time.
If you’d like to speak directly with an attorney about your situation, call the Schill Law Group today for a free consultation on your case.
Ask Questions
When being accused of theft, before anything else it is wise to gather as much information about the accusation being made as possible. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to assess the situation, protect yourself, and seek the best legal representation when necessary. Find out precisely what you are being accused of stealing. Determine whether or not you are being fired or if you are being charged with a crime. Will your company be handling an internal investigation where you will be able to share your side of the story with your supervisor or HR personnel, or is the investigation being handed over to the police? What are the next steps? In addition to asking these types of questions, it’s important to remember that no matter how much you may want to proclaim your innocence, it’s often best to keep your words at a minimum so that you don’t accidentally implicate yourself – especially if law enforcement becomes involved. Even if you are falsely accused of theft, it is advisable to limit your statements.
Seek Legal Representation
Once you have a better understanding of what you are being accused of and how the investigation is being handled, it’s time to look for experienced legal representation. Schill Law Group in Arizona has handled numerous cases related to accusations of workplace theft and we can walk you through the process. Partnering with a law firm is a crucial step because it allows you to be cooperative with the investigative process without making the problem worse. Too many employees have made the mistake of trying to “clear the air” or “talk things out” with their employers, only to find that their attempts to remedy the issue have implicated them further or led to more trouble. It’s much wiser to allow a legal professional to speak on your behalf.
Don’t Be Pressured Into Giving Up Your Right To An Attorney
There are many instances when employees are wrongfully accused of workplace theft. You may feel that if you have nothing to hide, you should be able to simply answer questions on your own and that hiring an attorney could actually make you look guilty. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Even innocent people need professional legal representation in order to protect themselves. As mentioned previously, going it alone can actually make your problems worse, so we urge you to present your case to an experienced lawyer.
Remain Calm
You won’t be able to make the situation any better if you get emotional or angry. While a false accusation is understandably frustrating, statements or emails composed in anger are likely to make the situation worse, even when you’ve done nothing wrong. You will only undermine any efforts made to demonstrate that the theft accusations are unfounded.
Know Your Rights
In addition to fighting to clear your name and protect you from legal prosecution, a lawyer will also be able to explain your rights so that you can navigate your way through the investigation process as comfortably as possible. For example, you may have questions about your right to privacy as the investigation is carried out, whether or not you have the right to refuse a lie detector test, or may be curious about whether you have the right to review your HR record. Your attorney will be able to provide answers to these questions so you don’t have to remain in the dark. The Schill Law Group has extensive experience in handling Arizona theft cases and will be able to guide you through your situation, too.
If you or a loved one have been accused of workplace theft, don’t hesitate to seek help from Schill Law Group. Give us a call to set up a free case consultation today.