If you electronically deposit the check and then take the check to the bank to cash it, you could end up in jail for stealing the funds. It’s similar to robbing the bank or shoplifting because you’re stealing the money either from the bank or the .company who wrote the check. To avoid accidentally doing that, I keep a red felt tip pen in the junk drawer and I write a large red “D” on the front of the check just as soon as I electronically deposit it, so I’ll know for sure it was deposited. Then I check my bank until the check clears and I then write a large red “C” with the date on the back so I can see that it cleared and when it cleared
To keep everything legal, you can electronically deposit the check, wait until it clears (usually 24–48 hours)and then write a check on the funds in your account.