Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: UDRA
A kiter is someone who writes checks without having enough money in their bank account to cover the amount of the check. This is illegal and can result in serious consequences.
kiter
A kiter is a person who engages in the illegal practice of writing checks from one bank account to another, knowing that there is not enough money in the account to cover the check. The kiter then deposits the check into the second account, and withdraws the money before the check bounces.
One example of a case involving a kiter is Williams v. United States, 458 U.S. 279 (1982). In this case, the defendant was charged with bank fraud for writing checks from one account to another, knowing that there were insufficient funds to cover the checks.
John is a kiter. He writes a check for $1,000 from his checking account at Bank A, and deposits it into his account at Bank B. He knows that there is only $500 in his Bank A account, but he hopes that the check will clear before the bank realizes this. John then withdraws the $1,000 from his Bank B account before the check bounces.
The examples illustrate how a kiter operates. By writing a check from one account to another, the kiter is essentially borrowing money that they do not have. This is illegal and can result in criminal charges and penalties. The Williams v. United States case shows that the practice of kiting is taken seriously by the legal system.