Bad Check Laws In Maine

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Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Maine under Revised Statutes - Title 14: COURT PROCEDURE - CIVIL Part 7: PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS, Chapter 712: CIVIL LIABILITY FOR BAD CHECKS HEADING: PL 1989, C. 357 (NEW). The following penalties and fines may result if the person liable fails to tender the amount of the check, plus bank fees and mailing costs, within l0 days of receiving a notice that the check was dishonored and remained unpaid.

Civil Penalties: The person may be liable for the amount of the check, court costs, attorney fees, a civil penalty not to exceed $150 and the processing charges incurred by the holder, plus interest at the rate of 12% annually.

A person who issues a 2nd check that is dishonored to the same payee within one year of issuing the first dishonored check may be liable to the payee for the face amount of the check, the costs and attorney's fees, additional liquidated damages that can be up to twice the face amount of the check or up to $750 (whichever is less).

Criminal Penalties: Up to $1,000 fine or 11 months in jail, 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 at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/14/title14sec6071.html or at http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/14/title14ch712.pdf for the most current information on Maine 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.