WORTHLESS CHECK PROCEDURES 

1.      Check the Iowa County Web site under the District Attorney tab (http://www.iowacounty.org/), or call our office and ask the secretary if there are any pending cases with the person who issued the check (the person who signed the check).  If there is a pending matter OR if the check is stamped “ACCOUNT CLOSED”, complete a worksheet and send it in to our office with the original check(s).  Also include any original bank statement(s) showing any fee you incurred for the return of the worthless check(s).  No further steps are necessary.  If we do not have a case pending on the individual and the check is marked something other than account closed, follow the instructions below. 

2.       In order to prosecute on a worthless check, the check must meet the following conditions:

1. It must be issued by a Wisconsin resident; we cannot prosecute out of state checks;
2. It must be written with a simultaneous exchange of goods/services, no post-dating;
3. The amount must be in excess of $20.00;
4. It cannot bear the stamp “Payment Stopped;”
5. It cannot have been accepted as a partial payment; and
6. It cannot be a two-party check.
7. We may or may not be able to prosecute checks that are marked “Refer to Maker”.  These cases will have to be evaluated by the District Attorney to determine whether or not we can prosecute.

3.      You MUST have a valid driver’s license number or state ID number or a date of birth in order for our office to locate and prosecute the person who wrote the check.  Remember that preprinted checks can “say” anything.  Be sure to verify that the numbers on the check and the numbers on the actual license or ID are the same. 

4.      Give written notice to the check issuer (the person that signed the check) via regular mail to the address listed on the check or to the last known address.

*Note: It is no longer required that notice be sent certified restricted mail or given by Sheriff’s service.* 

5.      Wait 20 days from the time you send the check issuer notice even though the notice says “5” days. 

6.      If payment is not received by you, send us a completed worthless check worksheet along with the original check, a copy of the letter you sent to the issuer, and any fees incurred from the worthless check (e.g. bank fee).  It is very important to enclose receipts.  If you do not have receipt for your incurred expenses, we cannot collect them.  

7.       Once a worthless check(s) is submitted to our office for prosecution, you must NOT accept payment from the issuer of the worthless check without consent from our office. 

District Attorney

Iowa County Courthouse
222 N. Iowa St.
Dodgeville, WI 53533
608 935-0393