Each year, merchants lose millions of dollars to bad checks.  Bad checks affect everyone, pushing the costs of goods and services higher. As you know, they can be devastating to small businesses. Make no mistake, unlawfully issuing a bad check is a crime.

     The Check Enforcement Program is designed to assist merchants in recovering losses from intentionally written bad checks valued at less than $750.  The Program is FREE to all residents within Clackamas County.

    It is designed to handle Insufficient or Non-sufficient funds checks as well as Account Closed and No Account checks passed in Clackamas County.

     Our primary goal is to assure full restitution for the victim -- including any bank charges -- without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system.

     Merchants in Clackamas County benefit from the program because they receive restitution without paying any fees.

     First-time bad check writers benefit from the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by completing an offender education course.  However, if the person fails to respond to the program, prosecution proceedings may begin.

     Finally, an improved economic climate in Clackamas County helps us all, businesses and individuals alike.

     If bad checks are a concern of your business, I encourage you to participate. Please take a few minutes to explore this site to learn more about the Check Enforcement Program.  Learn how this program can benefit you.  Then feel free to register and use the program.

Sincerely,

John S. Foote

Clackamas County District Attorney