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Montana Title 45. Crimes § 45-6-316. Issuing a bad check

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(1) A person commits the offense of issuing a bad check when the person issues or delivers a check or other order upon a real or fictitious depository for the payment of money knowing that it will not be paid by the depository.

(2) If the offender has an account with the depository, failure to make good the check or other order within 5 days after written notice of nonpayment has been received by the issuer is prima facie evidence that the offender knew that it would not be paid by the depository.

(3)(a) A person convicted of issuing a bad check not exceeding $500 in value shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500. A person convicted of a second offense shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both. A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense shall be imprisoned in the county jail for a term of not less than 5 days or more than 1 year and may be fined an amount not to exceed $500.

(b) A person convicted of issuing a bad check that exceeds $500 in value and does not exceed $5,000 in value shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,500 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 3 years, or both. A person convicted of a second offense shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,500 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 5 years, or both. A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 5 years and may be fined an amount not to exceed $5,000.

(c) A person convicted of issuing a bad check exceeding $5,000 in value or as part of a common scheme shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Montana Title 45. Crimes § 45-6-316. Issuing a bad check - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/mt/title-45-crimes/mt-st-45-6-316/

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