The Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office instituted the Pre-Trial Restitution for Worthless Checks Unit to provide receiver's of bad checks a quick and effective way to recover their losses, as well as, an opportunity to reduce the number of cases that need processing through the Court system.

The following are the procedures for the PRE-TRIAL RESTITUTION (PTR) PROGRAM for Worthless Checks:

Victims who have filed criminal charges against a defendant who has obtained property or services by Bad Check will be referred to the State Attorney's Office, Pre-Trial Restitution (PTR) Program. No fees are charged to the victim.

The defendant's criminal history is reviewed to determine if he or she is
eligible for the PTR program. Once an individual has been determined to be eligible for the PTR program, the following occurs:

The defendant receives a Ietter from our office informing him or her to pay to the victim the amount of the check plus the service fee of $50.00 or to be prosecuted.

If the defendant chooses to enter into the PRE-TRIALRESTITUTION (PTR) PROGRAM the defendant then must sign a PRE-TRIAL RESTITU- TION(PTR) PROGRAM Contract and pay the program fee of $50.00 in the form of cash, money orders or certified cashier's check made payable Wicomico County, Maryland at the time the contract is signed.

The defendant must pay restitution for the amount of the bad check,
including service charges that the victim incurs from the bank. The restitu- tion may be paid at one time or over a period of time depending on what the victim agrees to.

The restitution must be paid in the form of cash, money order or certified cashier's check made payable to the victim.

The State's Attorney will issue the defendant a receipt at each time of payment.

Once the amount is paid in full the case will be placed on the Stet Docket for one year.