NYC Desk Appearance Ticket Attorneys
212-344-5180
Do I have to show up to court?
Yes. If you don't show up to court a warrant will be issued for your arrest. You cannot plead guilty by mail. If you don't live in New York or the United States you might be able to send an attorney in your place with an affidavit - call us to see if that might work in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions about Desk Appearance Tickets (DATs)
What if I have a professional license (FINRA, teacher, etc.)?
If you're not careful even a seemingly innocuous cause could totally derail your career. If you're a teacher, certain types of dispositions make you temporarily ineligible to work for the Department of Education. If you're a FINRA-licensed broker, seemingly good results on a DAT might actually make you permanently ineligible to work for FDIC-insured institutions, and certain arrests and case results may have to be disclosed on your U4 form. Other professionals face similar hidden consequences for their licensure or careers. Call to make sure that your case is handled by an attorney that won't let you make a mistake that you'll always regret.
What if I'm not a citizen?
Your case could be particularly complicated. Even a seemingly minor case like jumping a subway turnstile could prevent you from being able to renew your American visa, and convictions for some Desk Appearance Tickets could get you deported even if you're a lawful resident. A DAT could also create serious inconveniences in terms of your travel plans. Our attorneys have close and regular relationships with numerous foreign consulates that trust us to help their citizens facing criminal charges. As such, we are very familiar with the potential immigration consequences of the likely outcomes of various charges, and can advise you accordingly. Moreover, our attorneys speak fluent French and are conversant in Spanish. Click here to see a summary of some immigration consequences for various criminal charges.
Will this show up on a background check?
It depends on who is performing the check and how far along your case has progressed. However, if you have received a DAT then you have been fingerprinted, which means that the police, FBI, FINRA, and the immigration agencies have access to the records of your arrest. After your first date in court, your case and the charges will probably be a matter of public record that anyone with a computer can find.
Do I need a lawyer?
Yes you need a lawyer - if you don't have one and you're not indigent then you'll be told to come back with a private lawyer. But even if you qualify for a public defender, why wouldn't you get your own lawyer? Are you willing to put your career, your chance at citizenship, or your liberty in the hands of someone you've never met? If you needed surgery, would you let yourself be operated on by a doctor you've never met? Wouldn't you rather work with someone that you feel comfortable with? Additionally, a private attorney will be available to speak with you before you go to court, and you won't spend the entire day waiting for your public defender to handle your case - with a private lawyer you'll probably be able to leave court in time to get back to work. Additionally, if you live out of town or out of the country and cannot appear in court for your return date, then you absolutely are going to have to hire a private attorney to appear on your behalf. Finally, our attorneys always follow through after the case is over to get you your official court paperwork and ensure that your criminal record has been sealed, where applicable; you will not be able to get a public defender to do that for you.
Will there be any other charges?
Maybe. The charge listed on your Desk Appearance Ticket is just one of many possible charges that you might actually encounter when you get to court. Police officers only list one charge on the document that they give to people when they are arrested, but prosecutors then have the discretion to add additional charges or even elevate the charges to more serious felonies on the return date. Many people have been surprised to discover on their return date that their cases are actually more serious than they expected.