Utah criminal charge
Issuing a bad check or draft in Utah
Issuing a bad check or draft is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505.
What is the penalty for issuing a bad check or draft in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Bad check — under $500 — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Bad check — under $500 — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Bad check — $500 to under $1,500 — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $500 or more but less than $1,500.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Bad check — $500 to under $1,500 — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $500 or more but less than $1,500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Bad check — $1,500 to under $5,000 — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $1,500 or more but less than $5,000.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Bad check — $1,500 to under $5,000 — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $1,500 or more but less than $5,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Bad check — $5,000 or more — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $5,000 or more.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Bad check — $5,000 or more — The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $5,000 or more.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is issuing a bad check or draft classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bad check — under $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(a) |
| Bad check — $500 to under $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $500 or more but less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(b) |
| Bad check — $1,500 to under $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $1,500 or more but less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(c) |
| Bad check — $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | The check, draft, or series of checks/drafts drawn in Utah within a six-month period totals $5,000 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(d) |
Common questions about issuing a bad check or draft in Utah
Is issuing a bad check or draft a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: issuing a bad check or draft ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505.
Bad check — under $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(a)) · Bad check — $500 to under $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(b)) · Bad check — $1,500 to under $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(c)) · Bad check — $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505(3)(d))
What are the penalties for issuing a bad check or draft in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers issuing a bad check or draft?
Issuing a bad check or draft is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-505 (Issuing a bad check or draft - Presumption).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.