Bad Check Laws In Alabama

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Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Alabama under TITLE 13A: Criminal Code, CHAPTER 9: Forgery and Fraudulent Practices, ARTICLE 1: Forgery and Related Offenses, SECTION 13.1, § 13A-9-13.1. Negotiating worthless negotiable instrument.

Civil Penalties: A person is presumed to have the intent to pass a bad check if he/she doesn't have an account at the time that the party negotiates or delivers the check. If that person has an account, the payer is presumed to have the intent to pass a bad check if they fail to pay the holder of the check the amount of the check, plus a service charge not to exceed $30.00, within ten days after receiving a written notice from the payee that payment on the check was dishonored.

Criminal Penalties: Bad checks are usually handled by the worthless check unit of the County. A worthless check writer who is served with a warrant by this special unit is then charged with the offense of Negotiating a Worthless Negotiable Instrument. The criminal offense is considered a Class A Misdemeanor in Alabama and is punishable by up to one year imprisonment and two years probation with the imposition of restitution, fines, fees, and court costs. If convicted on the charge, the amount of restitution and time frame in which to pay it will be determined by the court.



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 for the most current information on Alabama 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.