Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 02/26/08

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

HALF A MILLION IN RESTITUTION FOR VICTIMS OF BAD CHECKS

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that a recent report reveals that the Bad Check Restitution Referral Program recovered $497,243 in restitution for victims who received bad checks over the past three years.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "Since the program’s inception, Sonoma County merchants and individuals have received nearly $1 million in restitution, 4,000 offenders have been educated on the ills of bad check writing, and over 1,500 local merchants have taken advantage of this program ."

The District Attorney’s office partners with American Counseling Corrective Services
which oversees the bad check restitution referral program. ACCS started this program in Sonoma County in 2001.

"This program saves an enormous amount of time and effort for an already burdened criminal justice system by providing an opportunity for individuals to avoid a criminal record while helping victims obtain full restitution in a timely manner," said District Attorney Passalacqua.

Honest mistakes are not typically referred to the bad check program. These check writers normally have made a bookkeeping error and upon notice from either their bank or the merchant, quickly repay the debt. However, if the check writer does not repay the debt within a reasonable time, the case is referred to the bad check program.

First time bad check offenders are then given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by paying full restitution and completing a mandatory educational program. This educational program is paid for by the offender without any cost to the merchant, business owner or taxpayer.

Participation in the program is voluntary and is similar to other diversion type programs that offer eligible first time offenders an educational program in lieu of the possible filing of criminal charges.