Van Riper and Nies Attorneys, P.A.

Bad Check Defense

Van Riper & Nies believes in personal attention, hard work, and open communications when fighting for their clients' freedom.

Under Florida law, writing a bad check, or worthless check, is a crime. In Florida, you may be guilty of such a crime if you wrote a check knowing you did not have enough money in your account, using a debit card and overdrawing an account, changing payment amount on a check, or depositing a bad check that will not clear. The State must prove that you knowingly wrote a check without any funds in your bank account. In Florida, even if you are innocent because you did not knowingly write a bad check, you could find yourself in trouble with the law. If you are charged with such a crime, it is imperative that you retain a lawyer right away.

Writing a bad check may lead to the following sentences if convicted:

 Misdemeanor: Worthless checks or debits less than $150: Up to 1 year in prison.

 Felony: Worthless checks or debits more than $150. Up to 5 years in prison.

If you have been charged with writing a worthless check, do not go it alone. Call our attorneys to discuss your options. Oftentimes, we are able to speak with the prosecutor before charges are filed.