Bad Check Laws In Alaska

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A bad check is one that has been written to cover a debt, purchase or other expense; but bounces or comes back for insufficient funds. A bad check can also be written on a closed account -- any of these circumstances will cause the check writer to run afoul of bad check laws in Alaska.


If someone has received a bad check, they can demand that the person who gave them the check repay the missing money, plus a fee of up to $30 to cover bank fees. The writer of the bad check has 15 days to pay, before both civil and criminal charges come into play.

Civil Penalties for writing a bad check in Alaska allow the victim to recover three times the amount of the check from the person or entity who issued it. The amount awarded as a civil penalty will vary, but should not exceed the amount of the original check by more than a thousand dollars.

Writing a bad check is a criminal act in Alaska, and some penalties will apply. Criminal penalties are determined based on the amount of the original check and can include a monetary fine, jail time, or both. For bad checks of less than $50, a fine of up to $1000 may be imposed, and the check writer could be given up to 90 days of jail time.

The higher the check amount, the bigger the fine and longer the term of imprisonment. Writing a bad check for $1000 in Alaska may result in a fine of up to $50,000 and a jail term of up to 5 years. Civil and criminal charges for a bad check can be avoided if restitution is made within the 15 day period.

Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Alaska under Code Section 09.68.115.

If the plaintiff makes a written demand for payment of the check to the check writer and he/she does not make good on that check plus up to a maximum of a $30 fee within 15 days, they may then be subject to the following civil and criminal penalties:

Civil Penalties: The bidder may recover damages in an amount equal to $100 or treble the amount, whichever is greater, except that damages recovered under bad check law may not exceed the amount of the check by more than $1000.

Criminal Penalties: Issuing check for $25,000 or more, maximum fine of $50,000, imprisonment up to 10 years, or both, Issuing check for $500 or more, up to $25,000, maximum fine of $50,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. Issuing check for $50 or more, up to $500, maximum of $5000, imprisonment up to one year, or both. Issuing check under $50, maximum fine of $1000, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.



For more information on bad check laws and for criminal and civil penalties in other states for writing bad checks, please read Bad Check Laws

Check with your state statutes for the most current information on Alaska bad check laws.

You may want to also read Getting A Checking Account While On The Chex System

Learn how to Prevent Overdraft And Bounced Check Fees

Although all information has been written in good faith and has been reviewed, please email us at [email protected] to report any inaccuracies.