A Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) is an order that requires you to appear in criminal court at a certain date and time. The DAT is often issued for misdemeanor offenses, but may be used in felony cases in rare instances.
When you receive a desk appearance ticket, it is important to understand what will happen to your case. A New York City criminal lawyer can help you understand your legal options and ensure that you have a strong defense.
The first step is to contact an experienced New York desk appearance ticket lawyer. If you do not do this, you could lose your rights and potentially face serious consequences. A New York criminal attorney can explain to you the consequences that you might face in the event of a misdemeanor or felony arrest and ensure that you are protected throughout the criminal justice process.
Why Does the Police Issue a Desk Appearance Ticket?
The main purpose of a DAT is to allow you to avoid the full arrest process, which can take up to 24 hours. This can be a good option for those who have legitimate reasons to skip the traditional booking and arraignment processes and avoid the time and expense of waiting in custody.
It is not uncommon for the police to issue a DAT in situations where an individual does not have a criminal record, does not show up intoxicated or has valid identification. However, it is not common for them to issue a DAT if you have a criminal record or if the offense involves domestic violence or other issues that would make you a flight risk.
If you do not appear for your DAT arraignment on the date that was written on the ticket, you will likely receive a warrant for your arrest, which will place you in jail until you can appear before the judge. The judge will then decide if the warrant is valid, and if it is, you will be arrested for the charges that were originally charged on the DAT.
How Can I Have My Desk Appearance Ticket Dismissed?
If your New York desk appearance ticket has errors, such as the wrong date of the incident or the wrong spelling of your name, then you can ask to have it dismissed. If the mistake is discovered before the arraignment, an experienced lawyer may be able to get the charges dismissed in your case.
A skilled New York desk appearance ticket lawyer can also help you negotiate with the prosecutor to have the charges dismissed. For instance, if you were accused of driving with a suspended license or leaving the scene of an accident, the prosecutor may offer you a plea bargain for your case to be dismissed.
You can also ask to have your charge reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor. If the prosecutor agrees to this, then you may not have to serve any jail time or pay any fines.
