Can you go to jail for bad checks?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can you go to jail for bad checks?

Have a few checks that have bounced. I plan to contact them ASAP to make arrangements, but am afraid of legal ramifications. Can I fix this?

Asked on October 14, 2010 under Criminal Law, Colorado

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

You should consult with an attorney about how best to fix it. The short answer is, bouncing a check, due to inadvertance (e.g. bad timing of payments vs. deposits; not keeping tight track of your account balance; etc.) does not expose you to criminal liability. Criminal liability could be incurred if it appears that rather than simply falling on hard times or making a mistake, that you you instead intended to not pay or honor the checks. The problem is that bouncing several checks could be taken as evidence that you were deliberately passing bad checks. An attorney can evaluate the specifics of your situation (how many checks; for  how much; what time frame; etc.) and advise you as to the potential liability; the attorney can also help you negotiate with whomever you owe the money to and, if it comes to, deal with the prosecutor (if there are charges) on your behalf.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption