Utah Bad Checks Attorney - Criminal Defense Lawyer Utah

Writing a bad check in Utah can result in much more than a returned check fee. You could be sentenced to prison time and thousands of dollars in fines. As a Utah criminal defense attorney in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard has the experience, skill, and determination to help you get the results you need. If you have been charged with check fraud or passing a bad check in Utah, call now to learn what Stephen Howard can do for you.

Elements of a Criminal Charge for Passing Bad Checks in Utah

In a typical prosecution for issuing a bad check or draft (sometimes called a bounced check), the person has issued a bad check knowing that the check was bad when it was issued. Under a less common, and sometimes confusing, provision of Utah's criminal code, a person can actually be found guilty of issuing a bad check even if he or she believed the check was good when it was issued.  

Under Utah's criminal code, if a check is refused, the person who wrote the check must make good and actual payment on the check within 14 days of receiving notice that the check was refused by the bank. If payment is not made within that time period, criminal charges can be filed. This 14-day provision can catch otherwise law-abiding citizens by surprise, and has the effect of turning someone who has problems balancing a check book suddenly into a criminal.

Penalties for Passing a Bad Check in Utah

Issuing a bad check in Utah can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The level of the offense is determined by the amount of the check (or series of checks) issued. If the total value is less than $500, the offense is a class B misdemeanor. If the amount is greater than $500, but less than $1,500, the offense is a class A misdemeanor. If the amount involved is $1,500 or over, but less than $5,000, the case becomes a third degree felony.  Passing bad checks totaling $5,000 or more is punishable as a second degree felony.

Finding a Utah Criminal Attorney in Salt Lake City

Based in Salt Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard represents clients throughout Utah. He has successfully protected clients' rights in check fraud cases as well as other white collar cases including insurance fraud, securities fraud, credit card fraud, identity fraud, and more.

If you have been accused of passing bad checks, contact an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney now for an initial confidential consultation.