If you attempted this, it would cause a lot of issues. The person who wrote the check would have a big headache to deal with. The check would bounce and they would overdraw their account. Unless they have some type of protection for overdraft fees, they would owe a fee for not having proper funds. You could have to repay the money too, depending on the situation.

Rule of thumb - DO NOT write a check unless you are 100% sure you have the money to cover it. And DO NOT accept/try to cash a check from someone unless you are absolutely certain they are trustworthy and good for the money.

No you can not.

Not without financial penalty to both you and the person who wrote the check.

Sure, and you can get in trouble for it, too.

no, it'll bounce and if you were able to cash it, you have to pay the money back.

If you receive cash in exchange for the check, that money comes out of your own bank account. If the check is for more than you have in your account, you'll have a tentative balance but your "real" account balance will be negative. Likewise if you deposit the check into your account and then withdraw cash.

If it's a lot, the bank might not be willing to give you that much cash until the check clears.

Your bank will attempt to get the money from the checkwriter's bank and credit it to your account. When they don't have the funds, either their bank will reject the check (leaving you with your reduced balance), or they will give you the money and the checkwriter's account will end up with a negative balance.

So in short, yes you CAN cash a check for more than the account has in it, but you might be the one who gets hit with an overdraft penalty. 

no..............

Not without them having the money in the account or overdraft protection.