After the merchant has notified the worthless check passer, as required by law (an example of a letter is located at the end of this page) and gets no response after the fifteen-day grace period, he will then bring the check(s) and certified letter postal receipt(s) to the Worthless Check Program Coordinator in the DA's Office. The Program Coordinator will then send a letter to the check passer and give him/her 30 days to respond with payment in full. The full amount will include the $60.00 program fee, the check amount and any costs allowed by law that was incurred by the Merchant. This amount is paid to the clerk's office if the check passer participates in the program.
He/she will bring or mail the copy of the payment form (last page of the letter mailed by the Program Coordinator) and cash or money order for payment by the due date. Partial payments are not accepted and no payment will be accepted without the payment form from the Program Coordinator. No payments are taken after the due date.
The Clerk of Court's Office will then mail a check to the Merchant.
If no response is received from the check passer, the Program Coordinator will then obtain warrants for the arrest of the check passer.
If the case goes to court, the Merchant is put on standby and does not go to court unless called.
Merchant to provide the following:
- Payee/Merchant Name
- Payee/Merchant Address
- Payee/Merchant Fed. ID# or SS#
- Check Passer's Name, Address & Driver's License #
- Check Amount
- Certified Receipt from Post Office (where letter was sent certified to Check Passer) [sample merchant's letter]
Merchant is to submit checks and postal receipts to the Worthless Check Program weekly.