CHAPTER 4-12
WORTHLESS CHECK

4-12-1 Civil liability for worthless check.

(A)    If a person gives a worthless check, the person shall be liable to the holder of the check for the amount of the check, the incurred court costs, the incurred service charge, interest at the statutory rate and the costs of collection, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, plus an amount equal to the greater of the following:

(1)    Damages equal to three times the amount of the check but not exceeding the amount of the check by more than $500; or

(2)    $100.

The court may waive all or part of the attorney fees provided for by this subsection, if the court finds that the damages and other amounts awarded are sufficient to adequately compensate the holder of the check. In the event the court waives all or part of the attorney fees, the court shall make written findings of fact as to the specific reasons that the amounts awarded are sufficient to adequately compensate the holder of the check.

(B)    The amounts specified by subsection (A) shall be recoverable in a civil action in tribal court brought by or on behalf of the holder of the check only if: (1) Not less than 14 days before filing the civil action, the holder of the check made written demand on the maker or drawer for payment of the amount of the check, the incurred service charge and accrued interest; and (2) the maker or drawer failed to tender to the holder, prior to the filing of the action, an amount not less than the amount demanded. The written demand shall be sent by first class mail, to the person to be given notice at such person’s address as it appears on such check, draft or order or to the last known address of the maker or drawer. The written demand shall include notice that, if the money is not paid within 14 days, triple damages in addition to an amount of money equal to the sum of the amount of the check, the incurred service charge, court costs, accrued interest, the costs of collection including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees unless the court otherwise orders, may be incurred by the maker or drawer of the check. Notice required by subsection (B)(1) shall state the exact amount and date due, as well as an estimate of the amount that may be incurred if the amount demanded is not paid by the specified date.

(C)    Subsequent to the filing of an action under this section but prior to the commencement of a dispositional hearing by the court, the defendant may tender to the plaintiff as satisfaction of the claim, an amount of money equal to the sum of the amount of the check, the incurred service charge, accrued interest, the costs of collection including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff shall include in the petition a statement alleging that the defendant may tender such amount as satisfaction of the claim as provided in this subsection. If the amount alleged in the petition is tendered to the plaintiff in full satisfaction of the debt prior to the commencement of the dispositional hearing by the court, the case shall be dismissed by the plaintiff. For purpose of this subsection only, the amount tendered as satisfaction of the claim shall not include triple damages or damages of $100 as provided in subsections (A)(1) and (2). For purposes of this subsection, a dispositional hearing means a trial or other hearing by the court in which the plaintiff is seeking the entry of judgment against the defendant. The court may waive all or part of the attorney fees provided for by this subsection, if the court finds that the damages and other amounts awarded are sufficient to adequately compensate the holder of the check. In the event the court waives all or part of the attorney fees, the court shall make written findings of fact as to the specific reasons that the amounts awarded are sufficient to adequately compensate the holder of the check.

(D)    If the trier of fact determines that the failure of the defendant to satisfy the dishonored check was due to economic hardship, the court may waive all or part of the damages provided for by this section, but the court shall render judgment against defendant for not less than the amount of the dishonored check, the incurred court costs, service charge, costs of restricted mail and the costs of collection, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees, unless otherwise provided in this subsection. The court may waive all or part of the attorney fees provided for by this subsection, if the court finds that the damages and other amounts awarded are sufficient to adequately compensate the holder of the check. In the event the court waives all or part of the attorney fees, the court shall make written findings of fact as to the specific reasons that the amounts awarded are sufficient to adequately compensate the holder of the check.

(E)    Any amount previously paid as restitution or reparations to the holder of the check by or on behalf of its maker or drawer shall be credited against the amount for which the maker or drawer is liable under subsection (A).

(F)    Conviction of giving a worthless check under PBP Code § 15-1-40 or otherwise shall not be a prerequisite or bar to recovery pursuant to this section.

(G)    The service charge on a check which is dishonored by the drawee because the maker or drawer had no deposits in or credits with the drawee or has not sufficient funds in, or credits with, the drawee for the payment of each check, order or draft in full upon its presentation, shall not exceed $30.

(H)    As used in this section giving a "worthless check" means the making, drawing, issuing or delivering or causing or directing the making, drawing, issuing or delivering of any check, order or draft on any bank, credit union, savings and loan association or depository for the payment of money or its equivalent:

(1)    With intent to defraud or in payment for a preexisting debt; or

(2)    Which is dishonored by the drawee because the maker or drawer had no deposits in or credits with the drawee or has not sufficient funds in, or credits with, the drawee for the payment of such check, order or draft in full upon its presentation; and

(3)    for which the maker or drawer has not tendered to the holder’s agent the amount of money demanded and within the time allowed by the demand required in subsection (B).

4-12-2 Civil action to collect on check or order; reasonable attorney fees assessed as costs.

In any civil action to enforce payment of or to collect upon a check, order or draft on any bank, credit union, savings and loan association or depository for the payment of money or its equivalent, payment upon which such instrument has been refused because of insufficient funds or no account, the party prevailing on such cause of action shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees. Such fees shall be assessed by the court as costs against the losing party. The fees shall not be allowed unless the plaintiff offers proof during the trial of such action that prior to the filing of the petition in the action demand for payment of the check or order had been made upon the defendant by first class mail not less than 14 days prior to the filing of such suit.