Key facts
| Measure | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| civil damages rule[1] | Under Ohio law, passing a bad check is a theft offense, so the payee may sue and choose either the check value plus liquidated damages of 50, 100 or 150 dollars depending on that value, or liquidated damages equal to the greater of 200 dollars or three times the value; for amounts under 5,000 dollars, administrative costs, court costs and attorney fees may be added if a written demand sent by certified mail went unpaid for 30 days. The treble option is not available for a check given to a licensed short-term lender for a loan. | 2026 |
| felony threshold amount[2] | 1,000 | 2026 |
| misdemeanor penalty[2] | Under Ohio law, passing bad checks is generally a first degree misdemeanor, rising to a fifth degree felony at 1,000 dollars to a single vendor, or 1,500 dollars across multiple vendors, a fourth degree felony at 7,500 dollars, and a third degree felony at 150,000 dollars or more. | 2026 |
| notice period days[1] | 30 | 2026 |
| prosecution notice requirement[2] | Under Ohio law, a drawer is presumed to know a check will be dishonored if it was properly refused for insufficient funds within 30 days of issue and not made good within 10 days after notice of dishonor. | 2026 |
| statute citation[2] | Ohio Rev. Code Section 2913.11 | 2026 |
| treble damages[1] | 3 | 2026 |
Lending rules in Ohio: Ohio lending laws.
Sources
- Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Section 2307.61 - Civil action for willful damage or theft.
- Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Section 2913.11 - Passing bad checks.