WA Check Fraud Defense
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Washington State Check Fraud Cases
Washington law prohibits defrauding others by issuing bad checks. These cases are called "unlawful issuance of a bank check."
The laws governing Washington check fraud crimes can be found in the Revised Code of Washington at RCW 9A.56.060.
It is a Washington crime to, with intent to defraud, issue a check for the payment of money knowing at the time there are insufficient funds or credit to cover the check. RCW 9A.56.060(1).
Any person who, with intent to defraud, issues a check and who orders a stop-payment request directing the bank not to honor such check and who fails to otherwise arrange payment within 20 days is guilty of unlawful issuance of a bank check. RCW 9A.56.060(2).
Unlawful issuance of a bank check is a class C felony if the dollar amount in question exceeds $750. A class C felony is punishable by a maximum of 5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Actual penalties for a UIBC crime, however, are determined by the Sentencing Reform Act, RCW 9.94A and the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines.
Unlawful issuance of a bank check is a gross misdemeanor if the dollar amount in question is less than $750. A gross misdemeanor and punishable by a maximum of 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. RCW 9.92.020.
If a series of bad checks are written in the course of a common scheme or plan the value will be added to determine if the crime exceeds $750 to be considered a class C felony. RCW 9A.56.060(3).
