If you have received a Desk Appearance Ticket, you may be confused as to what this little slip of paper means. A New York Desk Appearance Ticket Lawyer can explain to you that receiving a Desk Appearance Ticket is a serious legal matter and needs to be taken care of properly. It is a common misperception that because you were released by police and not taken into custody, the matter isn’t that serious. This is not the case; in fact, a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) can be issued for a misdemeanor as well as felony charge. Depending on the actual charge involved a DAT can result in a criminal conviction and a mark on your criminal record. If you have received a DAT, or have been arrested for a serious crime such as Robbery, assault, battery, prostitution or Grand Larceny, speak with a skilled New York Criminal Lawyer from our team right away. It is important that your rights are protected.
DATs are commonly issued by police where the defendant committed a criminal offense, and does not have a prior record. They can be issued for both violations as well as misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by less that one year in jail. Occasionally, a DAT can be issued for a Class D, or Class E felony, though this is not common. A felony is an offense that can be punished by at least one year in prison. Whether you are issued a Desk Appearance Ticket is at the discretion of the police. When you receive a DAT, you are released and allowed to go home until you are arraigned. It is extremely important to attend your Arraignment at the date and time specified on your ticket, as failing to appear can result in a warrant for your Arrest. At your hearing, you will hear the charges against you and enter your plea.
Your New York Desk Appearance Ticket Lawyer can tell you that there are certain offenses that are more prone to receive a DAT than others, such as Petit Larceny (commonly known as shoplifting), Marijuana Possession (considered a low level drug offense), and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. There are other offenses that would be receive a DAT, such as a DWI (driving with a BAC of .08% or higher), a Sex Crime, or domestic violence offense.
Receiving a DAT is a serious matter. You could be facing serious penalties including jail time, fines and probation. Contact a New York Desk Appearance Ticket Lawyer from Elliot Adler, P.C. for advice and a free case consultation. We will explain the charges against you, and create an aggressive defense strategy to ensure that your rights are protected. Call us today at 212.785.1300 today. We have we service courts in Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island, and Westchester County. We also have service New York City, including locations in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.