Is a Desk Appearance Ticket Serious?

A desk appearance ticket (DAT) is serious because it means that you are charged with a crime. A crime can result in jail time and a criminal record.

However, if the police gave you a DAT, your criminal charges are relatively minor. An experienced criminal defense lawyer may be able to get your desk appearance ticket dismissed and keep you out of jail, even if you are guilty.

If you have a DAT in New York City, contact Cody Warner, P.C. for a free consultation. We can analyze your case and do everything to get your charges dropped.

What is a Desk Appearance Ticket?

A desk appearance ticket is a document that orders you to appear in court to face criminal charges.

If you received a DAT, the police arrested you and took you to their local precinct. At the precinct, you were fingerprinted and held in a holding cell for several hours. When the police released you, they gave you the DAT, which orders you to appear in court in several weeks.

Under New York Criminal Procedure, the police are obligated to give a person a DAT for many low-level crimes that are not very serious.

The DAT will indicate the top charge that you are facing and the day and location of your first court appearance.

What Happens When You Get a Desk Appearance Ticket?

After you receive a desk appearance ticket, you should retain a criminal defense lawyer. Your lawyer can conduct any needed investigation and contact the prosecution in effort to get your charges dropped.

Your lawyer may be able to get your charges dropped before your court date. If that happens, you will not have to appear in court. If the prosecution does not agree to drop your charges before your first court date, then you will need to appear in court.

Your DAT orders you to appear in court at 9 AM. When you enter the courthouse, you will go to the courtroom listed on your DAT. Your lawyer will meet you in the courtroom before your case is heard by the judge. Your lawyer can speak with the prosecution in court in effort to get your charges dropped.

Typically, the judge will enter the courtroom at 9:30 AM. After your lawyers signs up your case, a court officer will call your case into the record. You and your lawyer will appear in front of this judge. This process is known as your arraignment. The court will advise you of the charges brought against you by the district attorney’s office.

If your lawyer has worked out a deal to get your charges dropped, your case can be resolved at your first court appearance. If the district attorney’s office is unwilling to drop your case on the first court appearance, then your case will be adjourned for about a month for the district attorney’s office to file the necessary paperwork for your case to continue.

Common Outcomes with a Desk Appearance Ticket

If you have a desk appearance ticket for a misdemeanor such as shoplifting or possession of a small amount of drugs, your lawyer may be able to get your case dismissed on or before your court date, even if you are guilty.

Even if the prosecution will not outright dismiss your case, they may give you an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD). With an ACD, your case is dismissed after 6 months if you stay out of trouble.

An important factor is whether you were previously convicted of a crime. If you have a prior conviction, it’s less likely your charges will be completely dropped. Even if you do have a prior record, your lawyer may be able to get your charges reduced,

Need Help?

If you received a desk appearance ticket, contact Cody Warner, P.C. for a free consultation. We can review your desk appearance ticket and analyze how serious your charges are. If you decide to retain us, we will get to work immediately in effort to get your charges dropped.