Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C.

Introduction to Desk Appearance Tickets on Long Island

Over the past several years, New York State has been discussing criminal justice reform. Most conversations have focused on bail reform and how it will change the way people are arrested and released from custody. However, a few other changes to how cases are handled have also come about. In particular, people with significant criminal histories are now much more likely to be given a Desk Appearance Ticket. This is a change from traditional practice, which often refused such tickets to people with criminal records.

Desk Appearance Ticket, which are referred to as DAT, are pieces of paper that give a person's date and time that they must appear in court to be arraigned on their case. They are issued by the police department in many cases, but they can also be sent to the person by mail. If the person does not attend their desk appearance ticket, the police will usually issue a bench warrant for their arrest.

Most DATs are issued for misdemeanor crimes or felony cases that would not require the person to stay in jail while waiting to be arraigned. However, in some cases, DATs can be issued for domestic violence crimes, violations of orders of protection, and certain DWI matters. It is up to the police officer's discretion whether to issue a desk appearance ticket or not, and they may choose not to in the event that the accused is intoxicated, cannot provide proof of residence, has a prior record, or other factors.

A desk appearance ticket is a great alternative to being held in jail while waiting for an arraignment hearing. It allows the police to save taxpayer money by releasing people who are accused of minor crimes and some felony charges without having to keep them in custody until their arraignment. This is not to say that the person will never be held in jail, but it does allow them to avoid being taken to jail from work or school and having to pay a bond.

If you are charged with a crime and receive a desk appearance ticket, it is very important that you contact an attorney right away. They can help you understand the charges, prepare for your upcoming court appearance, and plan a strategy to fight the charge. They can also help you understand the possible sentencing repercussions if you are convicted. People often see the word "ticket" and assume that a DAT is just like a traffic ticket, but it is a very serious charge and you need to take it seriously. The sooner you contact a NY criminal defense lawyer, the better. Contact us today to speak with a New York criminal lawyer who can review your case in detail, explain the charges, and defend you against the charges at your arraignment. 

Dealing with a Desk Appearance Ticket on Long Island

In most cases, when the police have probable cause to believe that you committed a crime they will arrest you, take you to the precinct, photograph & fingerprint you, and then take you directly to court for an arraignment. However, under some circumstances, police officers can simply give you a piece of paper that says "You are to appear at a future date for your arraignment." This is called a Desk Appearance Ticket, or DAT.

This process saves time and resources, as it allows the police to skip the full arrest and custody procedure which would otherwise require them to wait for up to 24 hours before seeing a judge at arraignment. However, the desk appearance ticket is no small thing – you are still facing a criminal charge and there is a record of it that will show up on background checks and other searches.

The good news is that the desk appearance ticket usually only gets issued in relatively minor cases. In the past, it was only used for misdemeanors - but now New York City police officers can also issue them for a number of Class E Felonies.

If you are charged with a crime and given a desk appearance ticket, you should immediately contact an experienced NYC criminal defense lawyer. DATs can be confusing because they typically list a lot of statutory code abbreviations that don't relate to anything you can understand, and they will include dates for upcoming arraignments. If you miss your arraignment, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest.

When you receive a DAT, it can be easy to assume that your case will just be dropped or that the charges are not serious enough to merit an arrest. This is a mistake, as the desk appearance ticket means that the District Attorney has decided to prosecute you and is attempting to prove their case.

DATs are usually issued to people who have not had any prior criminal convictions or who do not pose a significant flight risk. In addition, if you are a non-US citizen, DATs can have serious immigration consequences, particularly if you do not come to your return date.

When you receive a desk appearance ticket, you should take the matter seriously and treat it as if you were actually arrested. Failing to show up for your arraignment will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest, which can be difficult to get lifted because of the immigration issues surrounding it. This is why it is important to speak with an experienced NYC criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. They can explain the charges to you and develop a strategy to fight them in order to avoid jail time or a conviction. Contact our office today for a free consultation with an NYC DAT defense lawyer. We are available to discuss your case any time of the day or night, and we will get back to you promptly.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Desk Appearance Tickets on Long Island

Traditionally, when someone is arrested in New York City, they will be held until they are able to face a judge for arraignment on the charges against them. But, in some cases, the police may decide to release an accused person on a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) instead of holding them in jail for the night until they can see a judge. The police typically use discretion to issue DATs for misdemeanor crimes and some felony offenses that do not involve a domestic violence incident or other violent crime. When the police do decide to give you a desk appearance ticket, it will have a date on it for you to go to court for your arraignment.

If you fail to appear on your arraignment date, the judge will set a bench warrant for your arrest. If this happens, the police can take you into custody at any time, day or night. If you do not hire a lawyer and show up for your arraignment, the judge will also likely offer you an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (ACOD). Usually, this means that if you do not commit any additional offenses for a certain period of time, your case will be dismissed with no criminal record.

You should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. Your arraignment date will be scheduled pretty close to the time of your arrest, so you want to give your attorney ample time to build a strong defense for you.

At your arraignment, you will enter an initial plea of guilty or not guilty. A skilled Desk Appearance Ticket lawyer can help you resolve your case at this early stage by getting the prosecutor to agree to an ACOD or get your charges dismissed completely.

If your arraignment does not result in a favorable resolution, your case will go to trial. At this point, an experienced NY criminal defense lawyer can defend you to the best of their ability to minimize the impact your case will have on your life.

If you are unable to afford the services of a private criminal defense attorney, the judge will allocate you a legal aid attorney or public defender. However, these attorneys must meet a strict income threshold to be eligible for representation and often have many cases on their plates. Therefore, it is critical that you hire a private criminal defense lawyer who specializes in Desk Appearance Ticket as soon as you are able to do so.

A New York Desk Appearance Ticket attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your case. They can explain the charges to you, answer any questions you have, and help you build a robust defense for yourself in court. This can prevent you from making serious mistakes during the process, such as failing to appear for your arraignment or plead guilty, which could have significant negative impacts on your future. 

Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C.

Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C. | Criminal Attorney and DWI Lawyer

320 Carleton Ave Suite 4200, Central Islip, NY 11722, United States

(631) 259-6060