LAKEPORT — Lake County District Attorney”s office will announce today a three-part program to address bad check writing in the area.
According to District Attorney Jon Hopkins, the new service will provide merchants and other victims an effective, no-cost way to recover funds lost to bad checks. It also seeks to help businesses avoid bad checks, and finally, it helps bad check offenders prevent future bad checks.
“By the time a check reaches this program, it”s very likely a criminal offense,” said Hopkins. “That”s how the case is treated. Under California statutes the case could go directly to prosecution. But prosecuting every criminal bad check isn”t necessarily the best way to address the crime.”
Local merchants will have two opportunities this week to learn about the new Bad Check Program by attending presentations in Lakeport and Clearlake, said Hopkins.
“A representative of the new program will be available to answer questions, and pass out applications to participate in the new program, today, April 18 in the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport and, Thursday, April 19, in the Clearlake City Council Chambers,” he said.
Similar to other diversion programs, the Check Enforcement Program offers bad check writers the opportunity to avoid possible prosecution. The first condition is to make full restitution to the victims as well as a service fee to cover the costs incurred as a result of the bad check. Check writers will also pay the fees required to administer the Program. In this way, there is no cost to victims, the District Attorney”s Office or other taxpayers. Check writers pay the entire cost of this program, according to Hopkins.
The Check Enforcement Program deals with checks that were dishonored because of Insufficient Funds, Closed Account or No Account. Check forgeries or counterfeit checks should be referred to the police immediately; there is no chance that these offenders would avoid prosecution.
“The solution fits the crime,” said Hopkins. “Everybody gets what they”re seeking. Victims of bad checks universally just want their money and the Check Enforcement Program will return 100% of any check that”s recovered plus a victims” service fee.”
“The police, the District Attorney”s Office and the courts are relieved of having to investigate, prosecute and try a large number of bad check cases,” he added.
Hopkins emphasized that bad checks, of any size, are a serious matter. “This is essentially a one-time offer for people passing bad checks, and my office will definitely pursue bad check cases for possible prosecution. I”m sure there will be some people who refuse to cooperate just as I”m sure there will be cases that go to trial.”
