Duluth woman who pleads no contest to theft could avoid criminal record

A Duluth woman who snagged more than $700 cash from a bounced check less than an hour after opening a checking account at a Superior bank could keep a criminal conviction off her record.

Tamikka Edwards, 37, pleaded guilty to an amended count of misdemeanor theft last week in Douglas County Circuit Court.

A deferred judgment of conviction agreement was entered in the case. If Edwards pays $75 per month toward restitution and commits no new crimes in the next 14 months, the charge will be amended to an ordinance violation of issuance of a worthless check, which is not considered a criminal offense. The only penalty would be a $143.80 fine and payment of $700.89 restitution to the bank.

Edwards opened the bank account with a $50 deposit on Oct. 18, 2011. Nearly 20 minutes later, she brought in a deposit slip and a check written out to her for $950.89. She received $750.89 in cash and deposited the rest. Three days later, the check was returned for non-sufficient funds.

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