Issuing a Bad Check

Many places of business have refused to take personal checks due to high frequencies of “bad checks”. Bad checks can be defined as checks that are issued which do not have sufficient funds in the bank to cover the actual cost for which the check is written. Bad checks are also checks that are made out by a person who is not the same person listed on the checks in question or who is unassociated with the stated bank.

Insufficient Funds

When someone writes a check when he or she knows there are not sufficient funds to cover the check amount in the bank, he or she can leave the seller of the good or service without sufficient compensation. In a sense, the crime in question is stealing because the person issuing the check receives a benefit without paying the seller.

Banks may issue overdraft fees to the account owner; however, issuing a bad check is still against the law. Issuing a bad check is usually classified as a misdemeanor, and charges will vary depending on the payment amount or purpose.

Identity Theft

When a person issues a bad check that does not belong to him or her and without the owner’s consent, he or she has issued a bad check while simultaneously committing identity theft. Bad checks can also be issued from a non-existent bank account or under the name of a non-existent person.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been charged with issuing a bad check or with identity theft, contact the Milwaukee criminal lawyers of Kohler & Hart, LLP at 414-271-9595 to speak with an experienced legal aid about your case. We can provide you with the assistance and representation you need to make sure your legal rights are protected