Worthless Check Unit

Despite the rise in other forms of payment, bad checks remain a persistent issue in Marshall County and place a significant burden on the small businesses that keep our local economy strong. Writing a bad check with intent is a criminal offense, and under Alabama law, the Marshall County District Attorney’s Worthless Check Unit is authorized to prosecute individuals who commit this crime.

If you have received a worthless check and would like help from the District Attorney’s Office, specific guidelines must be met in order for a warrant to be issued.

What qualifies as a Worthless Check?

A Worthless Check or N.W.N.I. refers to writing, issuing, or passing a check when the person knows there are insufficient funds to cover the amount or when the check is written on a closed account.

Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for processing, all checks must meet the following criteria:

Date Validity
- The check must be no older than one year from the current date.
- Example: If today is June 24, 2025, we can accept checks dated June 24, 2024 or later.
- Checks dated June 23, 2024 or earlier will not be accepted.

Bank Processing Timeframe
- The check must be deposited or run through a bank within 30 days of when it was received.
Jurisdiction Requirement
- The check must physically change hands in Marshall County to be eligible.
Third-Party Checks
- Third-party checks are not accepted. The check must be written directly to the recipient.
Reason for Return
- Only checks that are returned as NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) or Closed Account are eligible.
- Checks returned for any other reason will not be accepted

INFORMATION FOR MERCHANTS

If you believe someone has intentionally written a worthless check, the Worthless Check Unit may be able to help you recover the amount of the check. However, our role is strictly limited by statute. There are strict legal requirements that must be met and steps that the recipient of the worthless check must take in order for us to effectively assist you. For instance:

To initiate action through the Worthless Check Unit, the following steps must be completed:

Legal Copy of the Check

A legal copy of the check (front and back) is required, showing that it was run through the bank within 30 days of being received.
The check must be returned as either NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) or Closed Account.
No other return reasons are accepted.
Certified Letter Notification
Upon receiving bank confirmation, the merchant is responsible for mailing a certified letter to:
- The person who signed the check
- At the last known address, either listed on the check or provided at the time of the transaction

10-Day Waiting Period

After mailing the certified letter, the merchant (or victim) must wait a full 10 calendar days to allow the individual time to respond or resolve the issue.

Only after this 10-day period with no resolution may the check be turned in to the Marshall County Worthless Check Unit for further action.

Once all preliminary steps are completed, the merchant is required to bring the following items to the Worthless Check Unit in order to file a complaint:

Legal Copy of the Check

A front and back copy showing that the check was run through the bank within 30 days and returned as NSF or Closed Account.
Certified Letter Proof
A copy of the certified letter that was mailed to the check writer, along with one of the following:
- The signed green card (return receipt), showing it was received, or
- The unopened, returned letter marked Unclaimed or Refused.
- Completed Complaint Form
A fully completed Worthless Check Complaint Form, available from the Worthless Check Unit or online

Click here to download the Worthless Check Complaint Form.

INFORMATION FOR WORTHLESS CHECK DEFENDANTS

We accept cash (correct change only), cashier’s check, and money orders.
No electronic payments of any kind
No personal checks

Instructions for Money Orders/Cashier’s Checks:

Must be made out to Worthless Check Unit or WCU
Must have the defendant’s name and birthdate on it
Must be the exact amount

If you would like a receipt mailed to you, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your money order or cashier’s check.