Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Re: stolen checks

yes, if you negotiate the checks, you can be arrested for "uttering". it's a good defense that you didn't know the checks were stolen, but all it takes to make an arrest is "probable cause to believe a crime was committed". my suggestion is to make good on the checks yourself right away to any bank or other person to whom you negotiated the check or checks, tell them the checks were stolen and then call the police. if you don't do that in an effort to protect a friend, you're an accomplice after the fact and just as liable as if you'd stolen them yourself. (it's not like the cops aren't going to find out, it's just a question of who's going to jail.) btw, if the value of the check is over $200, it's a felony, good for up to 20 years away from home.