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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 3Ch. 4§ 3414 Drawer Obligation Dishonored Draft

§ 3414 Drawer Obligation Dishonored Draft

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 3414 Drawer Obligation Dishonored Draft

Key Takeaways

  • •If you write a check and it bounces (isn't paid), you have to pay the amount you wrote the check for.
  • •If a bank accepts the check, you don't have to pay it anymore, even if it bounces later.
  • •If you write 'without recourse' on a check, you still have to pay if it bounces. This only works for other types of drafts, not checks.
  • •If you don't cash a check within 30 days and the bank runs out of money, the person who wrote the check can give you their right to get the money from the bank instead of paying you themselves.

Example

You write a check for $100 to buy a bike. The check bounces because you don't have enough money in your account.

You have to pay the $100 to the bike shop because the check bounced. You can't get out of it by writing 'without recourse' on the check.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 3414 Drawer Obligation Dishonored Draft

(a) This section does not apply to cashier’s checks or other drafts drawn on the drawer. (b) If an unaccepted draft is dishonored, the drawer is obliged to pay the draft (1) according to its terms at the time it was issued or, if not issued, at the time it first came into possession of a holder, or (2) if the drawer signed an incomplete instrument, according to its terms when completed, to the extent stated in Sections 3115 and 3407. The obligation is owed to a person entitled to enforce the draft or to an indorser who paid the draft under Section 3415. (c) If a draft is accepted by a bank, the drawer is discharged, regardless of when or by whom acceptance was obtained. (d) If a draft is accepted and the acceptor is not a bank, the obligation of the drawer to pay the draft if the draft is dishonored by the acceptor is the same as the obligation of an indorser under subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 3415. (e) If a draft states that it is drawn “without recourse” or otherwise disclaims liability of the drawer to pay the draft, the drawer is not liable under subdivision (b) to pay the draft if the draft is not a check. A disclaimer of the liability stated in subdivision (b) is not effective if the draft is a check. (f) If (1) a check is not presented for payment or given to a depositary bank for collection within 30 days after its date, (2) the drawee suspends payments after expiration of the 30-day period without paying the check, and (3) because of the suspension of payments, the drawer is deprived of funds maintained with the drawee to cover payment of the check, the drawer to the extent deprived of funds may discharge its obligation to pay the check by assigning to the person entitled to enforce the check the rights of the drawer against the drawee with respect to the funds. (Repealed and added by Stats. 1992, Ch. 914, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1993.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

drawerdraftdishonoredwithout recourseaccepted by a bank

Related Statutes

  • § 3410 Draft Acceptance Terms
  • § 3415 Indorser Payment Obligation
  • § 3418 Recovery For Mistaken Payment
  • § 3408 Check Not Funds Assignment
  • § 3412 Issuer Obligation To Pay

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 3414.
View Official Source