For the first time ever I got paid with a check that bounced. The check was for about $1000. So I called the guy who wrote the check and he’s not returning my calls. I have his address; he’s local, so I guess I could go to small claims court. From another thread I saw that there are criminal as well as civil penalties for this sort of stuff. So I’m wondering if I should just call the D.A. Also, FWIW, I’m pretty sure the guy is not yet a citizen, so I don’t think he wants to get involved in any kind of legal troubles.
I’m wondering about some practical stuff:
I don’t really need a lawyer at this level, do I?
Should I send him a certified letter at this point?
If I do, what can I say? What shouldn’t I say? I don’t want to go to jail for making threats or anything like that.
Can I charge him a reasonable fee for the time consumed in collection? How much?
If he says I should re-deposit the check, do I have to do that? Or could I say something like: No, I think you ought to walk over to my house with cash at this point or else we go to court?