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1. I’m the check writer - how do I take care of this?

Writing a bad check may result in criminal charges filed, a summons to court, warrant for your arrest and having a permanent record of being a bad check writer. The Program offers you, the check writer, the opportunity to divert this matter from going to court. If the balance is paid in full before criminal charges are filed, then this offense will not go on your permanent record.

Payments can be mailed to: MCAO Check Enforcement Program, 225 West Madison Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003

We only accept payment by money order or cashier’s check by mail or a credit card through our online payment portal. Payment by mail must include your Personal ID (PID) number on all forms of payment. A receipt will be mailed to you showing the payment was received and your account credited. The online payment portal requires your PID number and last name to access the system. Do not pay the merchant(s), or the person(s) to whom the check was originally written.

2. A case has been filed against me, how do I resolve this?

You may have a warrant out for your arrest. You have the following options:

• You can pay off the entire balance owed to Check Enforcement. After the office receives payment in full, the Program will send a dismissal to the Justice Court your case is filed in. You should also contact the Justice Court, as the courts impose their own fines and fees per case.
• You can sign a guilty plea in the Justice Court. Contact the Justice Court, ask for a court date or when open court is scheduled. Arrive at your court date and let the Judge know you are there to sign a guilty plea. The court may give you the option to make monthly restitution payments, outlined in your plea. Payments are to be sent to the Check Enforcement Program. Include your personal ID number (PID#) with all payments. After the office receives payment in full, the Program will send a dismissal to the Justice Court your case is filed in. You should also contact the Justice Court, as the courts impose their own fines and fees per case.
• You can request a trial.

3. I received your letter, but I have been the victim of identity theft. How do I resolve this with your office?

Contact our office to let us know you will be submitting the following paperwork verifying that you were the victim of identity theft: police report, notarized letter from your banking institution and any additional information you have received regarding your ID theft. All information must be submitted to our office in a timely manner. We will have a detective review the information for accuracy. You may be required to come into the office to sign an affidavit of forgery. Until you provide the information requested, via email, fax or mail and is verified we will still show this as an open case.

Contact the Maricopa County Attorney's Office