Police Officers may use their discretion and issue a Desk Appearance Ticket or DAT under Criminal Procedure Law or C.P.L. Section 150.10. If you are given a DAT there will be a return date on which you are required to return to court. If you are given a DAT, you have been arrested. Unlike a typical arrest where you are brought to central booking and subsequently arraigned, you are given a return date where you must return to court in order to be arraigned. If you fail to show up on your return date, the Judge is likely to issue a warrant. Once there is a warrant issued for your arrest, you could be apprehended anywhere at any time. If you have been given a DAT you should take it seriously and make sure that you appear in court on your return date for your arraignment. At your arraignment, you will have the opportunity to appear in front of a judge and find out what charges are being brought against you. You will also have an opportunity to make arguments on bail and arguments that DAT is insufficient and should be dismissed. A DAT is like any other criminal matter and can have immigration consequences, fines, and result in a conviction that will remain on your record.
DATs are typically issued for lower-level offenses, but the charges can still carry serious consequences. Common DAT charges include:
Even though you weren’t held in jail, the charges connected to a DAT are the same as if you were formally arrested and arraigned. Possible consequences include:
If you fail to appear in court on your DAT date, the judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
We work quickly and strategically to minimize the impact of a DAT. Our defense services include:
Many people make the mistake of thinking a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) isn’t serious because it doesn’t involve being held overnight in jail. The truth is, a DAT is still a criminal charge that can result in a permanent record, steep fines, probation, or even jail time. Having the right defense lawyer on your side can make the difference between walking away with a clean record or facing long-term consequences.
We’ve successfully defended clients against all types of charges commonly tied to DATs including shoplifting, minor drug possession, assault, and criminal mischief. We know the law and the defenses that work.
ach borough, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, has its own way of handling Desk Appearance Tickets. Our attorneys are familiar with local judges and prosecutors, and we use that knowledge to your advantage.
One of the biggest risks of a DAT is ending up with a permanent criminal record that can affect your job, education, immigration status, or housing. We fight to keep your record clean, whether through dismissals, reductions, or diversion programs.
We don’t just show up on your court date. We prepare a strong defense from day one. That means reviewing the evidence, negotiating with prosecutors, and, if necessary, fighting for you in court.
If you’ve been issued a Desk Appearance Ticket, don’t wait. The sooner you have legal representation, the stronger your defense will be. Contact us today for a confidential consultation and start protecting your rights immediately.
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