Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Missouri

Re: bad check

Bad checks are by themselves actionable. You have to

go through a state law procedure first, though, I think,

before you can start talkin' about arrest warrants.

The obvious first thing to know is where she's

gone to, and maybe where she works. But don't contact her

yourself yet; use a lawyer if you can find one who will take

the case. You must avoid giving her an opportunity to accuse

you of having been abusive during your calls; there are even

rules about debt collection calls, their frequency, your tone of

voice, etc. which you don't want to be accused of violating.

Follow legal procedure. It is time-consuming and very expense even

to do on your own, and very often totally ineffective in the long run!

Good luck.

Stuart Williams

Law Offices of Stuart J. Williams

21 Walter St.

Re: bad check

The laws are different in different states, but the police can tell you whether you have grounds to file a criminal complaint. Normally, it would be necessary to prove that at the time the tenant gave you the check, he knew he would not be able to cover it.

There may be a small claims court where you can either sue on the check, or get information how to collect it.

You might check with his bank to find out whether the check can clear now.

Do you know where he is? Whether he has money or porperty, and if so, where? If not, forget it - you will just invest a lot of time and effort in getting a judgment, and then not be able to collect the judgment.

Anyway, good luck!

Susan Freiman

The Legal Clinic

P.O. Box 9407, Herzlia Street 29