Opinion ID: 390209
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Uttering

Text: 11 Count 2 charged Jones with uttering Dr. Camblin's check as true and genuine with the specific intent to defraud the United States. 18 U.S.C. § 495. The crime of uttering requires proof of an attempt to circulate a false writing by fraudulent representation that it is genuine and proof of the defendant's intent to defraud. See United States v. Smith, 631 F.2d 391, 396 (5th Cir. 1980); United States v. Eddy, 597 F.2d 430, 432-433 (5th Cir. 1979). 12 Although the appellant disputes the government's proof as to all of the above elements, he stresses that the government failed to prove that he actually attempted to circulate the check in question. Specifically, the appellant argues that the evidence shows only that the appellant signed the check, had it in his possession and lied as to its authenticity. Appellant's Brief at 11. Appellant asserts that the government must produce evidence to show that the check was cashed, or at least, that there was an attempt to cash the check. Id. at 9. 13 We reject the notion that circulation of a check can only be accomplished by an attempt to cash it. The offering of the instrument with intent to defraud is in itself sufficient to constitute a passing or uttering. United States v. Sullivan, 406 F.2d 180, 187 (2d Cir. 1969). Here, appellant owed rent to his landlord; showed the check to his landlord; explained that the check was from his boss so that the landlord would not have to worry about the rent; left the check in his apartment door for the landlord; subsequently explained the check was from his uncle; refused to cash the check with the landlord; and asked for the check back when confronted with his false representations. From these facts a jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Jones was aggressively trying to pass the check in question in order to pay his rent. Holding otherwise would allow an utterer to escape conviction simply by duping an innocent third party into cashing the check. Jones certainly knew that if he successfully passed the check to Hillman it would be cashed. The above facts also unquestionably support the presence of the other elements of uttering.