{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/17.1-626.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/17.1-626.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/17.1-626.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/17.1-626.1.html"}],"law_id":74739,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74739,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-626.1","catch_line":"Recovery of costs in civil actions for bad checks","history":"1977, c. 329, \u00a7 6.1-118.1; 2010, cc. 343, 794.","full_text":"A\n\nIn any civil action by a holder to recover the sum payable of a check drawn by the defendant on which payment has been refused by the payor bank because the drawer had no account or insufficient funds, or in any civil action following an arrest under § 18.2-181 or 18.2-182, the court, upon a determination that the plaintiff has prevailed, shall add the following amounts, as costs, to the amount due to the plaintiff for the check: (i) the sum of $30 to defray the cost of processing the returned check; and (ii) the base wage of one employee for time actually spent acting as a witness for the Commonwealth; provided, however, that the total amount of allowable costs granted under the provisions of this section shall not exceed the sum of $250 excluding restitution for the amount of the check.B\n\nSuch award of costs shall be contingent upon a finding (i) that the plaintiff complied with the provisions in § 18.2-183 relating to notice and (ii) that the defendant failed to deliver payment or evidence of bank error to the plaintiff within five days after receipt of such notice.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":268605,"text":"In any civil action by a holder to recover the sum payable of a check drawn by the defendant on which payment has been refused by the payor bank because the drawer had no account or insufficient funds, or in any civil action following an arrest under § 18.2-181 or 18.2-182, the court, upon a determination that the plaintiff has prevailed, shall add the following amounts, as costs, to the amount due to the plaintiff for the check: (i) the sum of $30 to defray the cost of processing the returned check; and (ii) the base wage of one employee for time actually spent acting as a witness for the Commonwealth; provided, however, that the total amount of allowable costs granted under the provisions of this section shall not exceed the sum of $250 excluding restitution for the amount of the check.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":268606,"text":"Such award of costs shall be contingent upon a finding (i) that the plaintiff complied with the provisions in § 18.2-183 relating to notice and (ii) that the defendant failed to deliver payment or evidence of bank error to the plaintiff within five days after receipt of such notice.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13302,"edition_id":1,"name":"Costs Generally","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12766,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:36","permalink":{"id":163843,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13302,"identifier":"6","token":"17.1\/6","url":"\/17.1\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12766,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts of Record","identifier":"17.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":162799,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12766,"identifier":"17.1","token":"17.1","url":"\/17.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":71941,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-600","catch_line":"Laws of costs not penal; discretion of courts of equity","url":"\/17.1-600\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-600","metadata":false},{"id":74651,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-601","catch_line":"General rule as to recovery of costs on final judgment","url":"\/17.1-601\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-601","metadata":false},{"id":72553,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-602","catch_line":"When successful plaintiff not to recover costs","url":"\/17.1-602\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-602","metadata":false},{"id":74336,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-603","catch_line":"Costs when suit is in name of one person for another","url":"\/17.1-603\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-603","metadata":false},{"id":54291,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-604","catch_line":"Costs in appellate courts","url":"\/17.1-604\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-604","metadata":false},{"id":80522,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-605","catch_line":"Same; printing or otherwise reproducing brief and appendix","url":"\/17.1-605\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-605","metadata":false},{"id":82411,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-606","catch_line":"Persons allowed services without fees or costs","url":"\/17.1-606\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-606","metadata":false},{"id":56185,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-607","catch_line":"Security for costs upon suit by nonresident","url":"\/17.1-607\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-607","metadata":false},{"id":60968,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-608","catch_line":"How obligor in such bond may obtain indemnity","url":"\/17.1-608\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-608","metadata":false},{"id":67742,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-609","catch_line":"Costs on certain motions and interlocutory orders","url":"\/17.1-609\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-609","metadata":false},{"id":79179,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-610","catch_line":"Payment of costs when new trial granted","url":"\/17.1-610\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-610","metadata":false},{"id":63515,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-611","catch_line":"Allowances to witnesses for Commonwealth","url":"\/17.1-611\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-611","metadata":false},{"id":61141,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-612","catch_line":"Allowances to other witnesses","url":"\/17.1-612\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-612","metadata":false},{"id":57684,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-613","catch_line":"By whom and upon what certificate allowances to witnesses paid","url":"\/17.1-613\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-613","metadata":false},{"id":56836,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-614","catch_line":"List of entries made on behalf of witnesses","url":"\/17.1-614\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-614","metadata":false},{"id":85754,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-615","catch_line":"Time within which witnesses may be paid out of state treasury","url":"\/17.1-615\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-615","metadata":false},{"id":55762,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-616","catch_line":"Restriction of costs for witnesses generally; when entry for witness not allowed","url":"\/17.1-616\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-616","metadata":false},{"id":76661,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-617","catch_line":"Number of witnesses paid fees in criminal cases","url":"\/17.1-617\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-617","metadata":false},{"id":61837,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-618","catch_line":"Allowances for jurors; expenses of keeping jury together; fees of jury commissioners and commissioner in chancery for drawing of juries","url":"\/17.1-618\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-618","metadata":false},{"id":62044,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-619","catch_line":"How jurors paid","url":"\/17.1-619\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-619","metadata":false},{"id":60089,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-620","catch_line":"When juror not entitled to compensation","url":"\/17.1-620\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-620","metadata":false},{"id":61886,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-621","catch_line":"Clerk to make entry on minutes stating amount due and by whom payable","url":"\/17.1-621\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-621","metadata":false},{"id":83672,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-622","catch_line":"Clerk to transmit orders making allowances to Supreme Court, treasurer and jurors","url":"\/17.1-622\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-622","metadata":false},{"id":86140,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-623","catch_line":"Payment of allowances","url":"\/17.1-623\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-623","metadata":false},{"id":76067,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-624","catch_line":"Who to tax costs","url":"\/17.1-624\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-624","metadata":false},{"id":78268,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-625","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-625\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-625","metadata":false},{"id":73738,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-626","catch_line":"Other items to be taxed in costs","url":"\/17.1-626\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-626","metadata":false},{"id":74739,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-626.1","catch_line":"Recovery of costs in civil actions for bad checks","url":"\/17.1-626.1\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-626.1","metadata":false},{"id":76386,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-627","catch_line":"Premium on indemnifying bond taxed as costs","url":"\/17.1-627\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-627","metadata":false},{"id":67510,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-628","catch_line":"Judgment or decree for costs on behalf of Commonwealth; costs to be paid into state treasury","url":"\/17.1-628\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-628","metadata":false},{"id":84537,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-629","catch_line":"No judgment for costs against Commonwealth; exception","url":"\/17.1-629\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-629","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73738,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-626","catch_line":"Other items to be taxed in costs","url":"\/17.1-626\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-626","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76386,"structure_id":13302,"section_number":"17.1-627","catch_line":"Premium on indemnifying bond taxed as costs","url":"\/17.1-627\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-627","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/17.1-626.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 329 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2010, chapters 343<\/a> and 794<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":84288,"section_number":"18.2-181","catch_line":"Issuing bad checks, etc., larceny","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-181\/"},{"id":63017,"section_number":"18.2-182","catch_line":"Issuing bad checks on behalf of business firm or corporation in payment of wages; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-182\/"},{"id":70811,"section_number":"18.2-183","catch_line":"Issuance of bad check prima facie evidence of intent and knowledge; notice by certified or registered mail","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-183\/"}],"permalink":{"id":163953,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74739,"identifier":"17.1-626.1","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-626.1","url":"\/17.1-626.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/17.1-626.1\/","token":"17.1\/6\/17.1-626.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Recovery of costs in civil actions for bad checks","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 17.1-626.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In any civil action<\/span> by a holder to recover the sum payable of a check drawn by the defendant<\/span> on which payment has been refused by the payor bank because the drawer had no account or insufficient funds, or in any civil action<\/span> following an arrest<\/span> under § 18.2-181<\/a> or 18.2-182<\/a>, the court<\/span>, upon a determination that the plaintiff<\/span> has prevailed, shall add the following amounts, as costs, to the amount due to the plaintiff<\/span> for the check: (i) the sum of $30 to defray the cost of processing the returned check; and (ii) the base wage of one employee for time actually spent acting as a witness<\/span> for the Commonwealth; provided, however, that the total amount of allowable costs granted under the provisions of this section shall not exceed the sum of $250 excluding restitution<\/span> for the amount of the check. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Such award of costs shall be contingent upon a finding<\/span> (i) that the plaintiff<\/span> complied with the provisions in § 18.2-183<\/a> relating to notice and (ii) that the defendant<\/span> failed to deliver payment or evidence<\/span> of bank error to the plaintiff<\/span> within five days after receipt of such notice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRECOVERY OF COSTS IN CIVIL ACTIONS FOR BAD CHECKS (\u00a7 17.1-626.1)\n\nA. In any civil action by a holder to recover the sum payable of a check drawn\nby the defendant on which payment has been refused by the payor bank because the\ndrawer had no account or insufficient funds, or in any civil action following an\narrest under § 18.2-181 or 18.2-182, the court, upon a determination that\nthe plaintiff has prevailed, shall add the following amounts, as costs, to the\namount due to the plaintiff for the check: (i) the sum of $30 to defray the cost\nof processing the returned check; and (ii) the base wage of one employee for\ntime actually spent acting as a witness for the Commonwealth; provided, however,\nthat the total amount of allowable costs granted under the provisions of this\nsection shall not exceed the sum of $250 excluding restitution for the amount of\nthe check.\n\nB. Such award of costs shall be contingent upon a finding (i) that the plaintiff\ncomplied with the provisions in § 18.2-183 relating to notice and (ii) that\nthe defendant failed to deliver payment or evidence of bank error to the\nplaintiff within five days after receipt of such notice.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 329, \u00a7 6.1-118.1; 2010, cc. 343, 794.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}