[EvilTwinkie65]

PLEASE HELP. I made the mistake of cashing a check for a "friend" for $250.00. When I went to the Wachovia to cash his check to me, the funds were not there. He has since not returned my calls. I found out that he is on misdemeanor probation here in Broward County, FL. I want to call the police and press charges - will this violate his MISDEMEANOR probation? As I understand it he was sentenced to one year probation, plus he has to go to BARC (a drug treatment program) and attend anger management classes (just relaying the info I was given). Is it true that my pressing charges for a bad check will NOT violate his probation? Am I out of luck? If there is any additional information that you need from me in order to effectively answer my question, please contact me. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help.

[Fr_Chuck]

Well since he is a friend, just have him give you the 250 in cash, and you tear the check up.

Yes if you press charges it is a violation of his probation.

And you are not out of luck, anyone who will write you a bad check and not make it good is not a friend anyway "???"

It will be up to the judge on what happens to him. He may be sent to jail or more.

Also on bad checks normally you don't (call the police) you take it down to the DA and file charges.

You can instead sue him in small claims court for the money.

[excon]

I want to call the police and press charges - will this violate his MISDEMEANOR probation?

Hello E:

It will!! It also won't help you get your money. Course you could THREATEN to snitch him off. Maybe that'll get your money, but I wouldn't actually DO it. It also might your butt kicked. I don't know. But, being a snitch ain't a good thing to be. If that doesn't work, why don't you sue him in small claims court?

You just may never get your money. Bummer.

excon

[EvilTwinkie65]

Hello E:

It will!!! It also won't help you get your money. Course you could THREATEN to snitch him off. Maybe that'll get your money, but I wouldn't actually DO it. It also might your butt kicked. I dunno. But, being a snitch ain't a good thing to be. If that doesn't work, why don't you sue him in small claims court?

You just may never get your money. Bummer.

excon

Well, I've already threatened him with it and didn't get anywhere. I've done probation here in Broward successfully without violating once. I remember walking on eggshells that whole 2 years, making sure that nobody ever had a reason to take away my freedom again. So forgive me but that word "snitch" really rubs me the wrong way. When it comes down to it, he's supposed to care more about not going to jail than I should.
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And as far as the small claims court thing goes, it's $250 to file a small claims suit here. Which would put me $500 in the hole instead of $250.00.

[twinkiedooter]

Well, if they've raised the filing fees that much in Broward County to even file a small claims case, then since you won't be seeing your money back (if ever), why don't you take the check in question and see the DA's office about filing charges against him? Yes, it will result in a VOP and he will be attending a VOP hearing and possibly serving some time in jail (if they have room that is). And him not attending BARC is definitely going to annoy the Judge as well.

[Fr_Chuck]

Well of course filing charges against someone who committed a crime against you is not really snitching, and often part of the punishment is your repayment.

Obviously this will ruin your "friendship" anyway, so the thing is, is it worth doing it to get your money back