Florida Statutes
TITLE VI - CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 68 - MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS

68.065 Actions to collect worthless checks, drafts, or orders of payment; attorney's fees and collection costs.--

(1) In any civil action brought for the purpose of collecting a check, draft, or order of payment, the payment of which was refused by the drawee because of the lack of funds, credit, or an account, or where the maker or drawer stops payment on the check, draft, or order of payment with intent to defraud, and where the maker or drawer fails to pay the amount owing, in cash, to the payee within 30 days following a written demand therefor, as provided in subsection (3), the maker or drawer shall be liable to the payee, in addition to the amount owing upon such check, draft, or order, for damages of triple the amount so owing. However, in no case shall the liability for damages be less than $50. The maker or drawer shall also be liable for any court costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the payee in taking the action. Criminal sanctions, as provided in s. 832.07, may be applicable.

(2) The payee may also charge the maker or drawer of the check, draft, or order of payment a service charge not to exceed the service fees authorized under s. 832.08(5) or 5 percent of the face amount of the instrument, whichever is greater, when making written demand for payment. In the event that a judgment or decree is rendered, interest at the rate and in the manner described in s. 55.03 may be added toward the total amount due. Any bank fees incurred by the payee may be charged to the maker or drawer of the check, draft, or order of payment.

(3) Before recovery under subsection (1) may be claimed, a written demand shall be delivered by certified or registered mail, evidenced by return receipt, to the maker or drawer of the check, draft, or order of payment. The form of such notice shall be substantially as follows:

... [ see, USLF form FL-401N ] ...

(4) A subsequent person receiving a check, draft, or order, from the original payee or a successor endorsee has the same rights that the original payee has against the maker of the instrument, provided such subsequent person gives notice in a substantially similar form to that provided above. A subsequent person providing such notice shall be immune from civil liability for the giving of such notice and for proceeding under the forms of such notice, so long as the maker of the instrument has the same defenses against the subsequent person as against the original payee. However, the remedies available under this section may be exercised only by one party in interest.

(5) Subsequent to the commencement of the action but prior to the hearing, the maker or drawer may tender to the payee, as satisfaction of the claim, an amount of money equal to the sum of the check, the service charge, court costs, and incurred bank fees. Other provisions notwithstanding, the maker or drawer is liable to the payee for all attorney fees and collection costs incurred by payee as a result of the payee's claim.

(6) If the court or jury determines that the failure of the maker or drawer to satisfy the dishonored check was due to economic hardship, the court or jury has the discretion to waive all or part of the statutory damages.




FLORIDA BAD CHECK LAW CRIMINAL PROVISIONS

Florida Bad Check Law Statutes
TITLE XLVI - CRIMES
CHAPTER 832 - VIOLATIONS INVOLVING BAD CHECKS CHECKS AND DRAFTS

832.07 Prima facie evidence of intent; identity. -

(1) INTENT. -

(a) In any prosecution or action under this chapter, the making, drawing, uttering, or delivery of a bad check or NSF 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 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 or her, shall have paid the holder thereof the amount due thereon, together with a service charge not to exceed the service fees authorized under s.832.08(5) or an amount of up to 5 percent of the face amount of the check, whichever is greater, within 7 days after receiving written notice that such bad check or NSF check, draft, or order has not been paid to the holder thereof, and bank fees incurred by the holder. In the event of legal action for recovery, the maker or drawer may be additionally liable for court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Notice mailed by certified or registered mail, evidenced by return receipt, to the address printed on the bad check or NSF check or given at the time of issuance 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. The form of such notice shall be substantially as follows:

Subsequent persons receiving a bad check or NSF check, draft, or order from the original payee or a successor endorsee have the same rights that the original payee has against the maker of the instrument, provided such subsequent persons give notice in a substantially similar form to that provided above. Subsequent persons providing such notice shall be immune from civil liability for the giving of such notice and for proceeding under the forms of such notice, so long as the maker of the instrument has the same defenses against these subsequent persons as against the original payee. However, the remedies available under this section may be exercised only by one party in interest.

(b) When a bad check or NSF check is drawn on a bank in which the maker or drawer has no account or a closed account, it shall be presumed that such bad check or NSF check was issued with intent to defraud, and the notice requirement set forth in this section shall be waived.

(2) IDENTITY. -

(a) In any prosecution or action under the provisions of this chapter, a check, draft, or order for which the information required in paragraph (b), paragraph (d), paragraph (e), or paragraph (f) is available at the time of issuance constitutes prima facie evidence of the identity of the person issuing the bad check or NSF check, draft, or order and that such person is authorized to draw upon the named account.

(b) To establish this prima facie evidence:

1. The driver's license number or state identification number, specifying the state of issuance of the person presenting the bad check or NSF check must be written on the bad check or NSF check; or

2. The following information regarding the identity of the person presenting the bad check or NSF check must be obtained by the person accepting such bad check or NSF check: The presenter's full name, residence address, home phone number, business phone number, place of employment, sex, date of birth, and height.

(c) The information required in subparagraph (b)2. may be provided by either of two methods:

1. The information may be recorded on the bad check or NSF check; or

2. The number of a check-cashing identification card issued by the accepter of the bad check or NSF check may be recorded on the bad check or NSF check. In order to be used to establish identity, such check-cashing identification card may not be issued until the information required in subparagraph (b)2. has been placed on file with the accepter of the bad check or NSF check.

(d) If a bad check or NSF check is received by a payee through the mail or by delivery to a representative of the payee, the prima facie evidence referred to in paragraph (a) may be established by presenting the original contract, order, or request for services that the bad check or NSF check purports to pay for, bearing the signature of the person who signed the bad check or NSF check, or by presenting a copy of the information required in subparagraph (b)2. which is on file with the accepter of the check together with the signature of the person presenting the bad check or NSF check.

(e) If a bad check or NSF check is received by a payee and the drawer or maker has a check-cashing identification card on file with the payee, the prima facie evidence referred to in paragraph (a) may be established by presenting the signature found on the check-cashing identification card bearing the signature of the person who signed the bad check or NSF check.

(f) If a bad check or NSF check is received by the Department of Revenue through the mail or by delivery to a representative of the Department of Revenue, the prima facie evidence referred to in paragraph (a) may be established by presenting the original tax return, certificate, license, application for certificate or license, or other document relating to amounts owed by that person or taxpayer which the check purports to pay for, bearing the signature of the person who signed the bad check or NSF check, or by presenting a copy of the information required in subparagraph (b)2. which is on file with the accepter of the bad check or NSF check together with the signature of the person presenting the check. The use of taxpayer information for purposes of establishing the identity of a person pursuant to this paragraph shall be considered a use of such information for official purposes.