If you have received a Desk Appearance Ticket, you may be wondering what your next step should be. Bear in mind that receiving a Desk Appearance Ticket is a serious matter and you may require the advice of counsel. A NYC Desk Appearance Ticket Lawyer can enlighten you as to your responsibilities and rights in this matter. You may feel that since you were let go after your arrest it is not that serious. Please know that this is far more involved than a NY Traffic Ticket, and needs to be handled appropriately. You may find the NYC Criminal Court system difficult to navigate, and having the proper guidance is important. A NYC Criminal Lawyer can familiarize you with the laws and procedures involved. A Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) may sometimes also be called a white ticket or a pink summons ticket. Either way, these tickets can potentially lead to a criminal conviction and the creation of a criminal record, and as such, need to be handled with care. If you have received a DAT, it is recommended that you contact us as soon as possible. We will provide you with guidance and can offer you a free consultation. We have offices not only in NYC including Manhattan, but Westchester County and Nassau County.

When you meet with a NYC Desk Appearance Ticket Lawyer, they will explain that these tickets are often written when an individual has no prior record and has never committed a criminal offense. They can be given for not only violations, but misdemeanors as well. A DAT can also be given, although rarely, for a Class E or D felony. Note that a misdemeanor is a violation that is punishable by 365 days or less in jail; a felony is punishable by one year or more in jail. When the offense is committed, the police have the option of issuing a Desk Appearance Ticket. This allows the cited individual to go home after the arrest, as opposed to spending 24 hours (or perhaps more) in a holding cell. You are expected to appear in court for your NYC Arraignment on the date and time indicated on your DAT. This is important; a failure to appear can result in a warrant for your arrest. At your Arraignment you will hear the charges against you, and enter your plea. There will be no other details of your case heard by the judge; these will be handled by the court at a later date.

There are certain violations that are more prone to receive a DAT than others. Cases that involve a minor Drug Crime (low-level marijuana possession), Criminal Possession of a Weapon (small weapons such as knives), or shoplifting (Petit Larceny) are often handled with a Desk Appearance Ticket. There are other offenses that would infrequently receive a DAT: a Sex Crime, drunk driving violations (DWI), grand larceny or a related charge of a white collar crime or any type of Domestic Violence matter. Failure to properly respond to your charges can have serious impact on your case. In New York Criminal Court there are numerous rules of procedure and rules of evidence that need to be adhered to. It is important to consult an New York Criminal Lawyer to help you. The issuance of a DAT is the beginning of a criminal matter against you. This matter can go to trial, and ultimately lead to your conviction. Consult with a Criminal Lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates to ensure that your case is handled properly and you receive the best possible result. If you live in NYC, or Long Island, Westchester County or Suffolk County, we are ready to help. Call us at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW for a free consultation today.