how to prosecute a bad check in louisville ky with the county attorney

by Dr. Ignatius Nikolaus 8 min read

Can you go to jail for writing a bad check in Kentucky?

The cutoff point between whether the County Attorney’s Office considers a cold check a Class A misdemeanor or prosecutes it as a Class D or Class C felony offense is $500. The circumstances of the case and any prior criminal history determine whether a judge will impose the maximum sentence or a lesser penalty.

Can a county attorney prosecute you for writing a bad check?

Bad Check Laws In Kentucky. Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Kentucky and are enforceable by law if the maker of the dishonored check fails to pay the amount of the check plus any merchant's posted bad check handling fees not to exceed fifty dollars within ten days after receiving a notice of that refusal. Civil Penalties: The merchant's posted bad …

What happens if a merchant writes a bad check?

About Louisville-Jefferson County Metro: Louisville-Jefferson County Metro - Jefferson County Attorney's Office - Bad Check Letter Division is located at 600 W Jefferson St in Central Business District - Louisville, KY - Jefferson County and is a business listed in the categories City & County Administrative Agencies, Government Offices City, Village, Borough & Township and …

How do I report deceptive business practices in Kentucky?

Although there are many check collection agencies, only county attorneys have the power to prosecute those who repeatedly write bad checks. At the request of the merchant, the county attorney’s office will issue a letter to the writer of the bad check to advise the person that the check was not valid.

How much does a bad check have to be to be a felony in Kentucky?

Checks over $1,000 are felonies and do not fall within a statute of limitations.

How do I file a criminal complaint in Louisville Ky?

How to File a Criminal Complaintyou must have the person's full (first and last name) and exact address.The person's date of birth or Social Security number or Driver's License number.The person must be 18 years of age or older.The crime must have occurred in Jefferson County, KY.More items...

How do I collect a bad check in Kentucky?

Kentucky's law considers bad checks to be theft by deception. The payee must try to cash or deposit the check within 30 days from when it was written. If the check is returned for insufficient funds, the payee must notify you in writing and send the notice through the United States mail.

How do I report a bad check in Missouri?

Lexington, Suite 100, Independence, Mo., and the phone number is 816-881-4640. They will need the original check, or the substitute check provided by your bank, along with the completed Complaint/Probable Cause Statement. The Bad Check Unit will send a ten-day notice letter to the issuer of the check.

Can I file a police report online Ky?

Report a crime online. This no-cost service, developed and maintained by the Kentucky State Police, serves as a more efficient way for the public and law enforcement agencies to submit crime reports to the KSP.

What is a complaint warrant in Ky?

Rule RCr 2.04 - Warrant or summons; issuance (1) If from an examination of the complaint it appears to the judge (or clerk authorized to issue warrants pursuant to KRS 15.725(5)) that there is probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed and that the defendant committed it, the judge (or clerk) shall ...

What can I do if someone writes me a bad check?

What To Do If You Receive A Bad CheckStep 1: Contact The Issuer Of The Check. Announce the situation to the issuer by phone (some state laws restrict calling between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time). ... Step 2: Try To Cash The Check Again. ... Step 3: Send A Demand Letter. ... Step 4: Sue In Small Claims Court.Jun 29, 2015

What is theft by deception in KY?

The Definition Of Theft By Deception Under Kentucky Law Theft by deception, specifically, is defined in KRS § 514.040. The base definition reads: “A person is guilty of theft by deception when the person obtains property or services of another by deception with intent to deprive the person thereof.”

What happens if you write a cold check?

financial crime A cold check occurs when you have no money in your account, you write a check anyway, and the check bounces. Many people continue to write checks thinking it takes a couple of days to clear the bank and, by then, a paycheck should have been deposited.

Is writing a bad check a felony in Missouri?

Passing a bad check is a Class A misdemeanor if the amount is under $750. Passing a bad check is a Class E felony when: the amount is $750 or more (may aggregate checks written within 10 day period), or. the check is drawn on a closed or non-existent account, in which case the offense is a Class E felony.

Is there a statute of limitations on bad checks in Missouri?

If the defendant agrees to pay the full amount owed, a person cannot take them to court for passing a bad check. The complaint against the defendant must be filed within a year from when the check was received or issued.May 31, 2019

Are post dated checks legal in Missouri?

Under Missouri law, we can not prosecute: * postdated checks; * checks that you agreed to hold; * third-party checks; * payroll checks; * offenders who cannot be sufficiently identified in a court of law; * checks stamped “refer to maker” or “uncollected funds”; or * any check you take after being told when you ...

What are the penalties for a bad check in Kentucky?

Below are the civil and criminal penalties for writing a bad check in Kentucky and are enforceable by law if the maker of the dishonored check fails to pay the amount of the check plus any merchant's posted bad check handling fees not to exceed fifty dollars within ten days after receiving a notice of that refusal.#N#Civil Penalties: The merchant's posted bad check fee. Other fees and charges may also apply.#N#Criminal Penalties: If the amount of the dishonored check is less than $500 it is considered to be a Class A Misdemeanor which can result in a jail sentence of 90 days to 12 months. A Class D Felony can result if the check written was more than $500 but less than $10,000 and can end with a 1 to 5 year prison sentence being served. Amounts over $10,000 can result in a Class C Felony and can land you in jail for 5 to 10 years. The county attorney may charge a fee of fifty dollars to the maker of the check, even if the check is paid. (Reference: Chapter 514.040 and 514.090 of the Kentucky State Statutes)#N#The above penalties may not apply to post dated checks but do apply to child support payments and obligations.

How long is a Class D felony?

Amounts over $10,000 can result in a Class C Felony and can land you in jail for 5 to 10 years.

How long does it take to become a county attorney in Kentucky?

County attorneys are elected in their counties of residence every four years. To become a county attorney in Kentucky, a person must be at least 24 years of age , is required to be a citizen of Kentucky, must have been a resident of the state for two years, and must reside in the county for which he or she serves, one year prior to the election. ...

What is the job of a county attorney?

The most obvious responsibility is the prosecution of all violations of criminal law within the jurisdiction of the district court ; that includes all misdemeanors, such as DUI offenses, other traffic violations, assault, and theft of less than $300.

How long is a domestic violence order good for?

The order is good for 14 days, and a hearing must be scheduled during that time. If the court finds enough evidence of abuse, it may issue a domestic violence order or take other action to prevent future violence. The order is good for up to three years.

What is juvenile court?

Juvenile cases are broken down into three categories: status, dependence, and criminal. These cases are heard in a separate division of district court, which is usually referred to as juvenile court.

What happens if you remove a child from your home?

If removal is permanent, it may mean the termination of parental rights. Criminal offenses are juvenile crime cases that are tried in district court and are prosecuted by the county attorney.

What is the difference between juvenile and adult court?

There are a few differences between juvenile and adult court. There is no trial by jury available in juvenile criminal court cases and the terminology is different. “Sentences” are called “dispositions,” and “trials” are called “adjudications” in juvenile court.

What happens when property taxes become delinquent?

Once a property tax bill becomes delinquent, the property owner is turned over to the county attorney to try to collect the taxes due on behalf of the county and state. In an attempt to collect the delinquent taxes, county attorneys send written notices to those who have neglected to pay.

What is and what is not a cold check?

A “cold check” is a check written for property or services that is not paid by the bank. A bank may dishonor a check for a number of reasons, but the most common reasons are if the account is closed or there is no account at all or if there are insufficient funds in the account to cover the check.

What do I do when I receive a cold check?

If a check comes back to you for closed account or insufficient funds, bring the original check to the County Attorney’s office as soon as possible. This increases the possibility that the check writer can be found.

What if the writer pays me the check within the 18 days?

Do NOT accept payment from the check writer once you have brought the check into the County Attorney’s Office. Payment must be made through one of the First Federal branches so that the check can be cleared from the system.

What if the writer does NOT pay the check to me within 18 days?

Return the original check to CA’s office to sign criminal charge for theft by deception

What if the writer wants to pay me after I have signed a criminal complaint?

DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY FROM WRITER – If you do, you will have to refund it to the check writer and it may torpedo the criminal case. Instead, tell writer to go to court on their appointed date to pay the check.

When will I get my money?

When the writer goes to court, most will enter a plea agreement to repay the check.

May I impose a service fee for my trouble?

Yes, but it is limited to $50.00. A sign must be conspicuously posted in the store. We have stickers available at our office to post in your store.

What is the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act?

The Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection safeguards Kentuckians from unfair business practices by enforcing the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KCPA). The KCPA protects Kentucky's citizens from "unfair, false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce." The Office of Consumer Protection enforces the Act by bringing lawsuits in the public interest to obtain civil penalties and consumer redress, including restitution and injunctive relief aimed at changing bad business practices. The division acts in a wide variety of cases, including those involving unscrupulous auto dealers, pharmaceutical companies that understate risks or overstate benefits of their drugs, and for-profit colleges that misrepresent the value of their degrees. The Office of Consumer Protection has also taken action against telemarketers, home remodelers, mortgage lenders, and other types of companies when they do not compete fairly or engage in unfair practices. This enforcement protects not only citizens, but also ethical sellers of goods and services.

What is the phone number for Frankfort KY?

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Phone: 502-696-5389. Fax: 502-573-8317. Hotline: 888-432-9257. Kentuckians should report scams to the Office of the Attorney General by calling 888-432-9257 or completing a scam complaint online.

What is the Consumers Advisory Council?

Consumers' Advisory Council. The Consumers' Advisory Council acts as an advisory to consumers on consumer affairs in Kentucky. The attorney general is an ex-officio member of the council and serves as chair. The council has 16 members who are appointed by the governor.

Bad Check Affidavit

If somone has written a bad check to you or your business, you must complete a bad check affidavit and submit it to the Prosecutor's Office for prosecution. The affidavit is available for download and printing, please click on the icon to the left. If you have questions, please contact the Bad Checks and Restitution Division at 573-774-4770.

Bad Check Warning Sign for Merchants to Display

Merchants wishing to warn potential bad check writers that the merchant cooperates with the Pulaski County Prosecutor's Office may download, print and display this sign. These signs are also available from the Prosecutor's Office for no charge.