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Check Writers’ Frequently Asked Questions

• I received a letter from the District Attorney’s Office informing me that I have an outstanding balance. What should I do?
  • Immediately contact the Hot Check Division in the District Attorney’s Office to find out how much you owe, then come in and pay that balance as soon as possible.
  • DO NOT pay the merchant directly once your check has been entered by this office! This will only slow the process of clearing your name.

   

• If I am financially unable to pay my balance immediately, is there a payment-plan program available?
  • Under certain conditions and at the discretion of the Worthless Check Division Chief, payment plans can be arranged.
  • Be sure to contact the Worthless Check Division Staff as soon as you suspect a check has been filed—you will not be accepted for a payment plan if a warrant/criminal case has been filed.
  • Being arrested costs money (bonds, court costs, etc.)—money you could be using to pay restitution for your worthless checks! Contact the D.A.’s office and avoid paying even more for the same checks.

   

• I didn’t pay the hot checks I wrote, and now I have a warrant/criminal case against me. What do I do?
  • If you pay your balance in full your warrant/criminal case will be dismissed.

   

• What happens if I pay my restitution in full after I have been arrested or have a criminal case filed? Will this be on my record?
  • If you do not pay in full before your court date, you will have to go in front of a judge and he will sentence you to pay the amount in full, plus court costs. It will be on your criminal record.

   

• I wrote a check to a merchant but later put a “Stop Payment” on that check because I did not want it to be returned “Insufficient Funds;” can I still be filed on?
  • Yes.

   

• The merchant did not notify me about my “Account Closed” check, can the D.A.’s office file a criminal case against me on that check?
  • Yes—by statute a merchant is only required to provide notice on checks marked “Insufficient Funds.” There is no required notice on “Account Closed” or “No Account” checks.

   

• Why won’t the D.A.’s office give me my checks back when I have paid them off?
  • Checks filed with the D.A.’s office are evidence in a criminal complaint, and must be maintained for audit records as well.

   

• Can I obtain a listing of the checks filed with the D.A.’s office?
  • Yes, but you must appear in person and present a state-issued photo ID.

   

• I think my adult child has checks filed at the D.A.’s office, can I find out whom the checks were written to and for how much?
  • No, but we can tell you whether checks have been filed with us, and the total amount owed in restitution and fees.