In most states in this country there are statutory penalties for writing a check that fails to clear for insufficient funds. In California, the penalty is the amount of the check and three times its amount up to a total of five-hundred dollars ($500.00).Liekwise, in all states it is illegal for someone to threaten a criminal action to extract leverage against someone in a civil action. This is apparently what the debt collection company is trying to do. Such a threat can be considered an unfair debt collection practice under state and federal law depending upon the statutes of a given state.A bad check sent to a debt collector does not get sent to the district attorney's office of a given county if not paid. The district attorney's office is not a debt collection agency.I suggest you consult with an attorney about a possible claim against the third party debt collection agency for unfair debt collection practices.Good luck.