If you face charges of writing bad checks in Nevada, you could also be facing severe penalties and other consequences. If you want to protect your future and avoid the fallout of a conviction, you can hire a legal advocate who can work to clear your name and reputation. The sooner you do, the sooner you can start figuring out the best way to move forward.
A defense lawyer for bad checks in Las Vegas at De Castroverde Law Group can help you through this challenging time. After reviewing the details of the charges against you, we can figure out the defense strategy that is appropriate for your case. You can reach out to our Vegas office for a confidential consultation today to get started.
When Can You Face Criminal Charges for Writing a Bad Check in Las Vegas?
In Las Vegas, money may be spent in large amounts for things like gambling and to retain certain services. It, however, is important to note that it is a criminal offense in Nevada to knowingly issue a bad check (NRS § 205.130). This is seen as intent to defraud, and whether a person actually intended to issue an insufficient check is sometimes considered irrelevant.
Although the law mandates that a person can be punished only if they knowingly acted in bad faith, many times, it is assumed by law enforcement that an individual was aware of their actions. Because of this, it is important to contact a fraud defense attorney in Las Vegas immediately if you have been accused of writing a bad check.
An individual may be found guilty in Las Vegas if they passed a bad check to obtain:
- Services
- Money
- The use of property
- The delivery of property
- Casino markers
What Are the Penalties for Writing a Bad Check in Las Vegas?
The state of Nevada considers it a felony offense to write a bad check for a value of more than $250, and checks for below that amount are misdemeanor offenses. If convicted, your penalties will depend upon the value of the false check and your prior record.
Checks for Less Than $250
Misdemeanor: Your sentence could include up to 6 months in county jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and restitution for the amount of the bad check
Category D Felony (charged after 3 prior convictions): 1 to four years in state prison, up to $5,000 in fines, and restitution for the amount of the bad check
Checks for $250 or More
Category D Felony: 1 to 4 years in state prison, fines up to $5,000, and restitution for the amount of the bad check
Many of the same penalties apply to the conviction of unpaid casino markers.
Other Criminal Penalties for Writing a Bad Check in Las Vegas
When you are convicted of writing a bad check in Las Vegas or Nevada, you could face additional criminal penalties. Although jail time and fines may be severe, the criminal penalties do not stop there. If you are found guilty of writing a bad check, some of the other consequences you could endure include:
- Court-ordered mental health counseling
- Court-ordered substance abuse treatment
- Court-ordered anger management
- Community service
- Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
- Restitution to victims
If you have been accused of knowingly writing a bad check in Las Vegas, you should reach out to our firm for legal representation immediately. The criminal penalties are severe in lieu of a conviction, so it is advisable to go over the facts of your case with one of our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible.
Collateral Consequences
Criminal penalties are not the only way your life will be affected if you are convicted of writing a bad check in Nevada. The collateral consequences you will face could have an even greater impact on your life. Some of the more common ways in which convicts lives’ are affected by guilty verdicts include:
- Immigration or citizenship issues
- Trouble with child custody or visitation rights
- Loss of firearm rights
- Temporary loss of voting rights
- Difficulty finding affordable housing
- Loss of federal student eight eligibility
Unless you are eligible for record sealing, your conviction will remain on your record indefinitely. This means when someone runs your background check, they will see that you have been convicted of writing a bad check in Nevada. For this reason, it is important to take steps to protect your future and work with our Nevada criminal defense lawyer, who can present a powerful defense strategy.
Challenging Las Vegas Bad Check Allegations
When you have been accused of writing a bad check in Las Vegas, it is important to take steps to clear your name. Since bad check allegations are nonviolent, if you are a first-time offender, you may be able to enter a pretrial diversion program with the state’s prosecuting attorney.
Here, once you complete the terms of the program, the charges against you will be reduced or dismissed accordingly. However, if the state is unwilling to allow you to enter a pretrial diversion program or another type of plea agreement, you will need to prepare to defend yourself. Some of the defenses to bad check writing in Las Vegas include:
- Unaware of lack of sufficient funds
- The check was postdated
- The check was not deposited promptly
- The bank did not officially acknowledge the check as required
- The check was not filled out completely or correctly
Arrested for Bad Checks in Las Vegas, NV?
No matter the circumstances of your arrest, De Castroverde Law Group is prepared to aggressively defend your rights and interests. We understand that many defendants do not realize they are writing bad checks and have simply lost track of their finances. Our team believes that an individual should not have to suffer such severe consequences for these mistakes.
You can be confident that our experienced attorneys will build a detailed and compelling defense, and we will provide you with the relentless advocacy your case needs. Call a Las Vegas bad check defense attorney today to learn how we can defend you against bad check charges.