Arizona statute

A.R.S. § 13-1807 — Issuing a bad check; violation; classification

Current through 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Part of Chapter 18: Theft, Arizona Revised Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Issuing a bad check

Full text of A.R.S. § 13-1807

Statutory text current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025). This publication reproduces the official statutory text published by the Arizona Legislature (Arizona Legislative Council compilation, azleg.gov); it is not the official statutes of the State of Arizona.

A.R.S. § 13-1807Primary source, current through the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

A. A person commits issuing a bad check if the person issues or passes a check knowing that the person does not have sufficient funds in or on deposit with the bank or other drawee for the payment in full of the check as well as all other checks outstanding at the time of issuance. B. Any of the following is a defense to prosecution under this section: 1. The payee or holder knows or has been expressly notified before the drawing of the check or has reason to believe that the drawer did not have on deposit or to the drawer's credit with the drawee sufficient funds to ensure payment on its presentation. 2. The check is postdated and sufficient funds are on deposit with the drawee on such later date for the payment in full of the check. 3. Insufficiency of funds results from an adjustment to the person's account by the credit institution without notice to the person. C. Nothing in this section prohibits prosecution for any other applicable criminal offense. D. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, issuing a bad check is a class 1 misdemeanor. E. Issuing a bad check in an amount of five thousand dollars or more is a class 6 felony if the person fails to pay the full amount of the check, including accrued interest at the rate of twelve per cent per year and any other applicable fees pursuant to this chapter, within sixty days after receiving notice pursuant to section 13-1808.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is issuing a bad check a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?

It depends on the circumstances: issuing a bad check ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-1807.

Issuing a bad check (default): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-1807D) · Issuing a bad check ($5,000 or more, unpaid after notice): Class 6 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-1807E)

Which Arizona statute covers issuing a bad check?

Issuing a bad check is governed by A.R.S. § 13-1807 (Issuing a bad check; violation; classification).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.