Rhode Island § 19-9-26 - Community Obligations and Banking Offenses

§ 19-9-26. Prima facie evidence of intent to defraud — Prosecutions.

The following shall be prima facie evidence of intent to defraud within the meaning of §§ 19-9-24 and 19-9-25 as against the maker or drawer: the making, drawing, uttering, or delivering of a check, draft, or order for the payment of money upon any regulated institution or other depository, payment of which is refused by the drawee for the reason that the maker or drawer has not sufficient funds in, or credit with, the regulated institution or other depository for the payment of the check, draft, or order in full upon its presentation, or for the reason that the maker or drawer has stopped payment on a check, draft, or order for the payment of money for the purchase of any goods, materials or service; provided, however, that these shall not be prima facie evidence of intent to defraud if the maker or drawer shall pay the check, draft, or order, or deposit and leave with the drawee for its payment the amount due thereon within seven (7) days after the receipt of written notice from the payee by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the last address of the maker or drawer which is available in the records of the payee.

If the check, draft, or order has not been paid within seven (7) business days after the maker or drawer receives written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, or if there is a return of the notice undelivered and the payee presents an affidavit containing facts within the payee’s own knowledge that the maker or drawer was not residing at the last address available in the records of the payee, the payee shall forthwith notify the prosecuting officer of the city or town where the check, draft, or order was written of that fact and the prosecuting officer shall prosecute all violations of §§ 19-9-24, 19-9-25, and 19-9-26 within ten (10) business days of the notice.