New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 190.00 — Issuing a bad check; definitions of terms
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 190: Other Frauds, New York Penal Law.
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 190.00
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
190.00 Issuing a bad check; definitions of terms.
The following definitions are applicable to this article:
1. "Check" means any check, draft or similar sight order for the
payment of money which is not post-dated with respect to the time of
utterance.
2. "Drawer" of a check means a person whose name appears thereon as
the primary obligor, whether the actual signature be that of himself or
of a person purportedly authorized to draw the check in his behalf.
3. "Representative drawer" means a person who signs a check as drawer
in a representative capacity or as agent of the person whose name
appears thereon as the principal drawer or obligor.
4. "Utter." A person "utters" a check when, as a drawer or
representative drawer thereof, he delivers it or causes it to be
delivered to a person who thereby acquires a right against the drawer
with respect to such check. One who draws a check with intent that it be
so delivered is deemed to have uttered it if the delivery occurs.
5. "Pass." A person "passes" a check when, being a payee, holder or
bearer of a check which previously has been or purports to have been
drawn and uttered by another, he delivers it, for a purpose other than
collection, to a third person who thereby acquires a right with respect
thereto.
6. "Funds" means money or credit.
7. "Insufficient funds." A drawer has "insufficient funds" with a
drawee to cover a check when he has no funds or account whatever, or
funds in an amount less than that of the check; and a check dishonored
for "no account" shall also be deemed to have been dishonored for
"insufficient funds."
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.