How to read the numbers here
Michigan handles bad checks in two separate ways. Mich. Comp. Laws Section 750.131 sets criminal penalties that scale from misdemeanor to felony based on the check amount, with the felony tier carrying a higher penalty than the misdemeanor level. Separately, Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952 lets whoever holds the check sue the maker civilly for the check amount plus added damages and costs, after sending a written notice that gives the maker 30 days to pay. Processing fees during that window depend on how quickly the maker pays. Michigan residents dealing with a notice can turn to Michigan Legal Help, the Attorney General, DIFS, or a nonprofit credit counselor.
When a bad check becomes a crime in Michigan
Under Mich. Comp. Laws Section 750.131, writing a check on an account that cannot cover it is handled differently depending on how much the check was for. Michigan law sets a threshold amount that separates misdemeanor checks from felony checks. Checks under a lower threshold are misdemeanors that can bring a short jail term and a fine on a first offense, checks between that lower threshold and the felony threshold the statute sets remain misdemeanors but carry higher fines, and checks that reach or pass the felony threshold become a felony under MCL 750.131, with a fine the statute ties either to a flat amount or a multiple of the check and a higher penalty tier than the misdemeanor level. Whether a case is actually charged as a felony or misdemeanor depends on the amount of the check and the prosecutor's decision, not on the person's credit history or why the check bounced.
Civil liability for the person who wrote the check
Separate from any criminal case, Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952 lets the person or business holding a bad check sue the maker in civil court. If a court finds the maker responsible, the maker is liable for the full amount of the original check, plus civil damages the statute sets as twice the check amount or a minimum the statute sets, whichever is greater, plus a fixed amount of costs the statute sets. This civil route does not require a criminal conviction and can proceed even if no criminal charge is filed. The exact figures involved are shown in the Key facts section on this page rather than repeated here.
The notice and chance to pay before action is taken
Michigan law builds in a waiting period before a holder can pursue civil damages. Under the notice provisions tied to Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952, the holder of the check sends written notice demanding payment, and the maker then has 30 days from that notice to pay the check before heavier civil damages attach. If the maker pays within the first several days after the demand, a lower processing fee applies, and a higher processing fee applies if payment comes later but still within the 30 day window. Paying promptly after a notice arrives is the clearest way to avoid the added civil damages and keep the matter from escalating further.
What this does not cover
Nothing in Michigan's bad check statutes changes how personal loans, payday loans, or title lending work in the state, and nothing here is legal advice about a specific situation. A bounced check tied to a loan payment can still trigger the same misdemeanor, felony, or civil exposure described above, so anyone struggling to cover a loan payment is better off contacting the lender or a nonprofit counselor before a check is returned, rather than after.
Where to get help in Michigan
If you received a notice about a bad check, or you are worried a check you wrote will bounce, several Michigan resources can help before the situation moves to court. Michigan Legal Help offers legal aid information for people who cannot afford an attorney. The Michigan Department of Attorney General handles consumer protection complaints. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, Office of Consumer Finance, oversees consumer lenders in the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services can connect you with benefits if money is tight. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling agency finder can connect you with nonprofit credit counseling, and your local community help line can point you to local assistance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also takes complaints about financial companies.
Key facts
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Felony threshold amount[1] | $500Year 2026 |
| Notice period[2] | 30 daysYear 2026 |
- Civil damages ruleA maker found responsible in a civil action is liable for the full check amount, civil damages of twice the check amount or 100 dollars (whichever is greater), and costs of 250 dollars.[2]
- Misdemeanor penaltyUnder MCL 750.131, a check under 100 dollars is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days and a 500 dollar fine on a first offense; amounts of 100 to 500 dollars remain a misdemeanor with higher fines; 500 dollars or more is a felony punishable by up to 2 years and a fine of up to 2,000 dollars or 3 times the amount payable.[1]
- Service fee maximumProcessing fee of 25 dollars if paid within 7 days (excluding weekends and holidays) of the demand, or 35 dollars if paid within 30 days ($35).[2]
- Statute citationMich. Comp. Laws Section 750.131[1]
Lending rules in Michigan: Michigan lending laws.
Related loan rules: Payday loans in Michigan.
Common questions
Can a Michigan prosecutor charge a bad check as a felony
Yes. Under Mich. Comp. Laws Section 750.131, a check that reaches the felony threshold the statute sets can be charged as a felony carrying a higher penalty tier than a misdemeanor, including a fine tied to the statute, while checks below that threshold stay misdemeanors with lower penalties.
Does paying the check back stop a Michigan bad check case
Paying quickly after the notice required under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952 can reduce the civil damages and processing fee you owe, since the fee tiers depend on how fast you pay within the 30 day notice period. It does not automatically stop a separate criminal charge, which is a decision for the prosecutor.
What is the difference between the criminal and civil process for a bad check in Michigan
The criminal process under MCL 750.131 is brought by the state and can lead to a misdemeanor or felony conviction depending on the amount. The civil process under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952 is a separate lawsuit the check holder can bring to recover the check amount plus added damages and costs, regardless of whether a criminal case is filed.
Who enforces Michigan's bad check laws
Criminal bad check cases are prosecuted by local prosecutors under MCL 750.131. Civil claims under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952 are brought by the check holder in civil court. The Michigan Department of Attorney General handles broader consumer protection complaints, and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services oversees consumer lenders.
Sources
- Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws Section 750.131.
- Michigan Legislature. Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.2952.