A Message From District Attorney Andy Jarbola As your District Attorney, I'm always concerned about the negative impact of bad checks passed to local businesses. Millions of dollars are lost every year by merchants as a result of this ongoing problem. Bad checks effect everyone in terms of higher consumer costs that must be passed on to offset losses, and increased taxes to cover the additional costs for law enforcement and prosecution. To combat this problem, the Bad Check Restitution Program has been organized to assist local merchants with bad check losses. Its primary goal is to obtain full restitution for the victim without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system. First time bad check offenders are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending a mandatory intervention class, in addition to paying restitution. All of this is accomplished without any cost to the taxpayers. Your interest and participation in this special program will benefit all law abiding citizens and help your business improve its bottom line! Andy Jarbola, Lackawanna County DA