Which statement is true regarding the offense of issuing a bad check?

• A. It requires knowledge of insufficient funds at the time of issuance.
• B. It requires knowledge that funds will be deposited later.
• C. It applies only to checks over a certain amount.
• D. It is always a felony.

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that issuing a bad check hinges on the writer’s state of mind at the moment the check is issued. The offense requires knowledge that there are not enough funds or credit in the account to cover the check when it is written. That awareness at issuance shows intent to pass a check that will not be honored, which is the criminal element. If someone writes a check hoping funds will be deposited later, or if they’re unsure about the funds, that doesn’t meet the required knowledge of insufficiency. The amount of the check and prior offenses can affect how the crime is charged (often moving from misdemeanor to felony in some cases), but the core element is knowing there are insufficient funds at the time of issuance.