California legal term
writing a bad check in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “writing a bad check” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “writing a bad check” mean in California criminal law?
“writing a bad check” means making, drawing, uttering, or delivering any check or draft upon any bank or depository for the payment of money where there is probable cause to believe there has been a violation of Section 476a. (Cal. Penal Code § 1001.60)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.