Check Fraud Penalties in New Jersey

The state of New Jersey recognizes check fraud as a serious offense. If you have additional questions or concerns after reading this blog, do not hesitate to reach out to our firm today to speak with a skilled Bergen County criminal defense attorney.

What is check fraud in New Jersey?

Even though check fraud is usually conducted on purpose, there are many instances where it occurs as a result of a simple misunderstanding, thus putting an indiviudal who was trying to do the right thing in hot water. Whether you knowingly committed check fraud or just made a mistake, you must retain the services of a skilled legal representative. It is important to keep in mind that in some cases, you may face additional penalties associated with check fraud, including forgery, theft by deception, identity theft, and more.

What are the criminal consequences of check fraud in New Jersey?

If you were charged with check fraud in the state of New Jersey, you can anticipate facing harsh consequences. These offenses are generally handled either in municipal or Superior Court, depending on the events surrounding the case. However, usually, cases that do end up in Superior Court are sent back down to the municipal court. The breakdown of penalties for writing a bad check includes:

• Writing a bad check for under $200 can result in up to 6 months in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000
• Writing a bad check between $200 and $1,000 is a fourth-degree offense, which can result in up to 18 months of imprisonment and/or fines of up to $10,000
• Writing a bad check between $1,000 and $75,000 is a third-degree offense, which can result in up to 5 years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to $15,000
• Writing a bad check valued at more than $75,000 is a second-degree offense that can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to $150,000

What is elderly check fraud?

Typically, check fraud cases are relatively broad and often involve the elderly, who may not understand why they are facing such charges. For example, sometimes home health caregivers who are in constant contact with the elderly will feel as though they are a member of the family. In some instances, the home healthcare aid will write legitimate checks for the elderly individual. However, there are often misconceptions between the elderly person and their caregiver that may result in allegations of theft or coercion by additional members of the family. That is why if you or a loved one has been charged with check fraud or theft, you must retain the services of our reliable legal team to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you.

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