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WOCK2000 Tampa Lawyer for Worthless Check Less Than $150
Charged with Obtaining Property or Services with a Worthless Check?
If you have been charged with WOCK2000 – Obtaining Property or Services in Return for Worthless Checks (under Florida Statute § 832.05.4), you need a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side. While this offense is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, a conviction can still result in severe penalties, including jail time and a permanent criminal record.
Attorney W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. of the Law Office of W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. is committed to defending clients facing charges related to worthless checks. Whether you’re accused of writing a check or using a debit card without sufficient funds, we will fight to protect your rights and help you avoid unnecessary penalties.
Florida Statute for WOCK2000: § 832.05.4 – Obtaining Property or Services in Return for Worthless Checks
Under Florida Statute § 832.05.4, it is illegal for an individual to obtain property, services, or any other valuable items by issuing a check, draft, or debit card knowing they do not have sufficient funds or credit to cover the payment.
Key Points of the Statute:
- Knowledge of Insufficient Funds: The law makes it unlawful to use a check, draft, or debit card to obtain goods or services if the individual knows at the time that they do not have sufficient funds or credit available to pay.
- Threshold of $150: If the check, draft, or debit card order is for less than $150, the charge is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor. If the value is $150 or more, the offense escalates to a felony.
- Penalties for a Misdemeanor: A conviction for WOCK2000 (first-degree misdemeanor) can result in:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to 1 year of probation
- Fines up to $1,000
- Potential Defenses: There are several defenses available, including proving lack of intent to defraud, showing lack of knowledge about insufficient funds, or demonstrating that the recipient of the check was aware of the situation.
What to Do If You Are Facing WOCK2000 Charges?
If you are facing charges for WOCK2000 (Obtaining Property for Worthless Check), it’s essential to act quickly. Even though this charge may seem minor, it can result in serious penalties. Our firm will help you understand your options, evaluate your case, and formulate a defense strategy to reduce or dismiss the charges.
Possible Defenses to WOCK2000 Charges
- Lack of Knowledge: If you were unaware that there were insufficient funds in your account at the time of writing the check or using the debit card, this could serve as a valid defense.
- No Intent to Defraud: The prosecution must prove that you had the intent to defraud when writing the check or using the card. If intent cannot be established, the charges may be reduced or dismissed.
- Recipient’s Knowledge: If the person or business you issued the check to knew that you had insufficient funds, they may not be able to claim the offense was fraudulent.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you identify the best defense and protect your future.
Top Five Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A conviction for WOCK2000 is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida Statute § 832.05.4. This can lead to:
Up to 1 year in jail
Up to 1 year of probation
A fine of up to $1,000
A permanent criminal record that can affect your future employment and other areas of life.
Yes, it is possible to have the charges dropped or reduced. If the prosecution cannot prove intent to defraud, or if you can demonstrate a lack of knowledge regarding insufficient funds, we may be able to get the charges dismissed or reduced to a lesser offense with diversion programs.
While it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer, it is highly recommended. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to:
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Identify any defenses that could help your case.
Represent you during negotiations or court hearings.
Hiring a skilled attorney increases your chances of getting a favorable outcome, such as a reduced charge, dismissal, or lesser penalties.
A worthless check refers to a check or draft that is written by an individual knowing that they do not have sufficient funds in their bank account to cover the check. This is a critical element in the charge of WOCK2000, as the prosecution must prove that the individual was aware that there were insufficient funds or credit at the time of writing the check or using the debit card.
The law under Florida Statute § 832.05.4 specifies that the person issuing the check must have known at the time that the account had insufficient funds to cover the transaction.
At Law Office of W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr., we have extensive experience defending clients charged with WOCK2000 and other criminal offenses. Our Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr., provides personalized, aggressive legal representation. We will:
Carefully review the facts of your case.
Identify any weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.
Build a strong defense strategy tailored to your needs.
With years of experience in criminal defense, we know how to protect your rights and work to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact a Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you’ve been charged with WOCK2000: Obtaining Property for Worthless Check (Less Than $150), it’s crucial to act fast. The consequences of a conviction are serious, and having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Call the Law Office of W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. today at (813) 222-2220 or schedule a free consultation here. We are here to provide you with expert legal advice and defense, and we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and secure your future.
Original Post from 2010 Updated to 2025
“knowing at the time of the making, drawing, uttering, issuing, or delivering of such check or draft that the maker thereof has not sufficient funds on deposit”
Worthless Check
If you have been charged with WOCK2000 OBTAIN.PROP. FOR WORTHLESS CK.(LESS THAN $150) (Obtaining Property or Services in Return for Worthless Checks, Drafts, or Debit Card Orders) you can call a Tampa Worthless Check Defense Lawyer at (813) 222-2220.
Form Code: WOCK2000
Florida Statute: 832.05.4
Level: Misd (Misdemeanor)
Degree: 1st
Description: OBTAIN.PROP. FOR WORTHLESS CK.(LESS THAN $150) (Obtaining Property or Services in Return for Worthless Checks, Drafts, or Debit Card Orders)
Need some help avoiding a conviction?
WOCK2000 OBTAIN.PROP. FOR WORTHLESS CK.(LESS THAN $150) (Obtaining Property or Services in Return for Worthless Checks, Drafts, or Debit Card Orders) one of the most commonly charged offenses in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Title XLVI CRIMES
Chapter 832 VIOLATIONS INVOLVING CHECKS AND DRAFTS
832.05 Giving worthless checks, drafts, and debit card orders; penalty; duty of drawee; evidence; costs; complaint form.
(4) OBTAINING PROPERTY OR SERVICES IN RETURN FOR WORTHLESS CHECKS, DRAFTS, OR DEBIT CARD ORDERS; PENALTY.—
(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to obtain any services, goods, wares, or other things of value by means of a check, draft, or other written order upon any bank, person, firm, or corporation, knowing at the time of the making, drawing, uttering, issuing, or delivering of such check or draft that the maker thereof has not sufficient funds on deposit in or credit with such bank or depository with which to pay the same upon presentation. However, no crime may be charged in respect to the giving of any such check or draft or other written order when the payee knows, has been expressly notified, or has reason to believe that the drawer did not have on deposit or to the drawer’s credit with the drawee sufficient funds to ensure payment thereof. A payee does not have reason to believe a payor does not have sufficient funds to ensure payment of a check solely because the payor has previously issued a worthless check to him or her.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to use a debit card to obtain money, goods, services, or anything else of value knowing at the time of such use that he or she does not have sufficient funds on deposit with which to pay for the same or that the value thereof exceeds the amount of credit which is available to him or her through an overdraft financing agreement or prearranged line of credit which is accessible by the use of the card.
(c) A violation of the provisions of this subsection, if the check, draft, other written order, or debit card order is for an amount less than $150 or its equivalent, constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A violation of the provisions of this subsection, if the check, draft, other written order, or debit card order is in the amount of $150, or its equivalent, or more, constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.