Embezzlement requires which of the following elements?

Embezzlement is a specific type of financial crime that involves the misappropriation or theft of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer. The key element of embezzlement is the trust relationship between the suspect and the victim. This trust allows the suspect access to the victim’s resources or assets, which they exploit for their personal gain.

In embezzlement cases, the suspect typically holds a position of responsibility or authority, which facilitates the act of misappropriation. This is distinct from other forms of theft, which do not rely on a fiduciary or trust relationship; hence, this element of trust is critical in establishing the crime of embezzlement.

The other options do not accurately capture the essential components of embezzlement: violence is not a required element, an exchange of goods is irrelevant in the context of misappropriating funds, and public acknowledgment of funds has no bearing on the legal definition of embezzlement. The definition centers solely on the abuse of entrusted authority.