The Porter County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is concerned about the negative impact that "bad checks" have on our local businesses. Merchants lose millions of dollars every year as a result of this ongoing problem. Bad checks affect everyone because of higher consumer costs which merchants must pass on to offset their losses, and because additional costs of law enforcement and prosecution often result in increased taxes for merchants and consumers.

In an effort to combat this serious problem, we have organized the bad check restitution program to assist local merchants with bad check losses. Our primary goal is to create a self-supporting system that obtains restitution for the victim while deterring repeat offenders.

First time bad check offenders are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending a mandatory eight-hour intervention class and paying restitution. All of this is accomplished without any cost to the taxpayers.

Your interest and participation in this special program will not only benefit your business, but will also benefit the citizens of Porter County.