Writing a check on a closed bank account in Illinois can lead to serious legal consequences. When a check is returned unpaid and the account is no longer active, the payee may contact law enforcement. Depending on the circumstances, you could be charged with forgery. The key factor is whether the act was intentional. If you are facing this type of charge, you should speak with a Kane County, IL forgery defense attorney immediately.
What Is the Illinois Worthless Check Statute?
Under 720 ILCS 5/17-3, Illinois law makes it a crime to knowingly issue a check when there are not enough funds in the account or when the account is closed. The law requires that written notice be sent to the person who wrote the check within 30 days. If the person does not pay the full amount within 45 days of that notice, they may face criminal charges. The statute is intended to prevent fraud and protect victims from financial loss.