Bad Check Laws In West Virginia

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Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in West Virginia under §61-3-39e and under CHAPTER 55 - ACTIONS, SUITS AND ARBITRATION; JUDICIAL SALE, ARTICLE 16 - CIVIL REMEDY FOR WORTHLESS CHECK.

Pursuant to West Virginia law, you have ten days from the date of a written notice to tender payment of the full amount of the check plus a fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars for each worthless check, or you will be subject to legal proceedings, civil or criminal.

Civil Penalties: You could be held liable in court for the face amount of the check, plus damages of five hundred dollars or the face amount of the check, whichever is less, and for reasonable costs incurred in filing the action.

Criminal Penalties: If the amount of the check is less than five hundred dollars, then it is a misdemeanor charge, and upon conviction the person shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars, or confined in jail for no more than six months, or both. A person who issues a dishonored check for five hundred dollars or more, may be charged with a felony, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than one year but no more than ten years, 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 or a lawyer for the most current information on West Virginia 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.