Bad Checks and Military Installation

Alec Scott Rose

In a military installation, a civilian who violates a local or state law is prosecuted in the US District Court by the US Attorney's office. Writing an NSF check with knowledge of the insufficient funds is a crime. If it it done by accident, or due to poor management of the account, there may be a defense or mitigating evidence. If you can not afford an experienced defense attorney (with experience in the federal court), request that the federal public defender be appointed.

Patrick J. Mclain

If the facts have not changed from your previous question, the advantage to having this matter resolved by a board is that this person will not have anything on his record. Whether this board is run fairly or not, the consequences of its decision are not potentially damaging to this person's future as if it had been referred to a federal magistrate, which I have seen happen on some military installations. If he has not funds for an attorney, he could still go with a responsible adult; such as a parent, co-worker, or friend.

If he has the case resolved in federal court, then go with him and encourage him to avail himself of the assistance of the federal public defender's office or the CJA panel (court appointed) attorneys.

Semper Fi, Patrick McLain