Bad Check Laws In Iowa

Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Iowa under State Statute TITLE XIII – COMMERCE SUBTITLE 5. – REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES, CHAPTER 554 – UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, 554.502 - 554.3806.

Civil Penalties: The plaintiff shall recover from the defendant total damages equaling three times the face value of the dishonored check, which sum shall include the face value of the check. However, total recovery shall not exceed more than five hundred dollars of the amount of the check and may be awarded only if the plaintiff made written demand to the defendant for payment of the amount of the check not less than thirty days before commencing a civil action. Under certain circumstances the plaintiff may also seek to collect or recover punitive or exemplary damages, or civil damages.

Criminal Penalties: First offenses for dishonored check amounts under $50 can result in a $300 fine and six months in jail. Second offenses can land a one year jail sentence and a $1,000 fine. Third offenses and bad check amounts of $50 or more can result in $5,000 of fines and three years in prison. Please note that criminal penalties will differ for each situation so it is advised to check with the Iowa court system or a Attorney to discuss your particular situation and to find out the most current laws for writing bad checks.