What does embezzlement require regarding the relationship between the offender and the property?

Embezzlement involves a specific relationship between the offender and the property that distinguishes it from other forms of theft. In order for an act to be classified as embezzlement, the offender must have a relationship of trust with the owner of the property. This typically means that the individual had legal access to the property or funds in their capacity as an employee, trustee, or agent. Their position of trust allows them to handle the property, but it is the betrayal of that trust that characterizes embezzlement.

The essence of embezzlement lies in the violation of the trust placed in the offender. For instance, if an employee who has been given authority over company funds takes some of that money for personal use, they’ve misappropriated property they were entrusted with—it’s not simply theft because they were authorized to handle it. This trust relationship is the foundation of embezzlement law, and it highlights the breach of duty involved.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define the nature of embezzlement. Being a stranger to the property does not involve trust; requiring a robbery or a written agreement does not relate directly to the core definition of embezzlement. Therefore, the correct answer indicates the