                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ISSUANCE OF BAD CHECK PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INTENT AND KNOWLEDGE; NOTICE BY
CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL (§ 18.2-183)

In any prosecution or action under the preceding sections, the making or drawing
or uttering or delivery of a check, draft, or order, payment of which is refused
by the drawee because of lack of funds or credit shall be prima facie evidence
of intent to defraud or of knowledge of insufficient funds in, or credit with,
such bank, banking institution, trust company or other depository unless such
maker or drawer, or someone for him, shall have paid the holder thereof the
amount due thereon, together with interest, and protest fees (if any), within
five days after receiving written notice that such check, draft, or order has
not been paid to the holder thereof. Notice mailed by certified or registered
mail, evidenced by return receipt, to the last known address of the maker or
drawer shall be deemed sufficient and equivalent to notice having been received
by the maker or drawer.
		If such check, draft or order shows on its face a printed or written address,
home, office, or otherwise, of the maker or drawer, then the foregoing notice,
when sent by certified or registered mail to such address, with or without
return receipt requested, shall be deemed sufficient and equivalent to notice
having been received by the maker or drawer, whether such notice shall be
returned undelivered or not.
		When a check is drawn on a bank in which the maker or drawer has no account,
it shall be presumed that such check was issued with intent to defraud, and the
five-day notice set forth above shall not be required in such case.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 6.1-117; 1966, c. 584; 1975, cc. 14, 15.