Bad Check Laws In District of Columbia

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Writing a check that is bad in the nation's capital can have severe civil and criminal liabilities.

First off, let's talk about the civil penalties for passing a bad check. The statute of Washington D.C. allows a creditor to get the cost of the check plus what are called protest fees. Also, they can garnish your wages unless you are a government employee under the civil statute. This can be very taxing if you want to try to get your finances in order.


Second, you can be charged criminally for passing repeated bad checks and the nation's capital doesn't mess around when it comes to NSF checks. Under criminal statutes, you can be fined up to $3,000, serve up to three years in prison or both for passing repeated bad checks. It clearly does not pay to try to dribble checks in the nation's capital.

When it comes to bad checks, it's not just the writer that can be put up on charges. There are fines and penalties also for knowingly cashing bad checks, as bad check fees have been on the rise thanks to a scam where you allegedly win a lotto and get a sizable check. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the bank can't prosecute these people because they live in a different country, and their own governments don't notice it or are too busy with other projects to crack down on these thieves. The banks then have to go after the person who deposits the check.

A good rule of thumb to follow is: Lotto tickets cost money and you won't win by E-mail. Also, a winning lottery ticket will NEVER have you pay a service fee for taxes. Federal Law mandates that the IRS withhold 25% of your winnings of $5,000 or more (or 28% if your social security number is not known). The company MUST pay it out of your winnings. If they tell you to give them money for taxes, you should NEVER do it.

In conclusion, bouncing a check anywhere is dangerous but in Washington DC, it can have serious consequences. Best to have money in your bank before writing out that check.

Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check under the District of Columbia bad check laws and Code - PART IV. CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE AND PRISONERS - TITLE 22. CRIMINAL OFFENSES - CHAPTER 14. FORGERY; FRAUDS, if within 5 days after receiving notice in person, or writing, that such check bounced and has not been paid.

Civil Penalties: Amount due, protest fees.

Criminal Penalties: If the bounced check is $100 or more, you can be guilty of a felony and fined not more than $3,000 or imprisoned for not less than 1 year and no more than 3 years, or both; or if the amount of the check is less than $100, you can be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than 180 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 the statutes of the District of Columbia for the most current information on 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.