checked

Called without any parameters, the checked() method returns true if the CheckBox's is checked otherwise returns false.
Calling it with a boolean true or false parameter will check or uncheck the corresponding CheckBox

<input id="checkbox" type="checkbox" ></div>

<script type="text/javascript">
    $(function () {
        $("#checkbox").shieldCheckBox({
            label: "checkbox 1"
        });
    });

    $("#checkbox").swidget().checked(); // return false

    $("#checkbox").swidget().checked(true) // check the widget

    $("#checkbox").swidget().checked(); // return true
</script>