Receiving a Desk Appearance Ticket--which is commonly referred to as a DAT--is preferable to being brought before a judge immediately for arraignment, the first step in the criminal process. If a person receives a DAT that means that he or she will be told to return to court for arraignment on a specific date between 8 to 12 weeks in the future. The alternative to a DAT is to be brought before a judge for an immediate arraignment, which means spending up to 24 hours in a holding cell.
A DAT is also preferable to an immediate arraignment because it allows a person to consult with and hire a defense attorney in advance. Generally speaking, a DAT may be issued for certain low-level misdemeanor crimes and if a person has valid identification. The most common misdemeanor crimes for which DATs are issued include:
• Petit Larceny
• Assault (but not involving Domestic Violence)
• Criminal Possession of Controlled Substances (small quantities)
• Criminal Possession of Marijuana
• Turnstile Jumping / Theft of Services
• Criminal Mischief
You can learn more about Desk Appearance Tickets in New York here: stengellaw.com/desk-appearanc....
Former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Andrew M. Stengel provides aggressive representation for misdemeanors and felonies in New York City, Westchester, Nassau and the surrounding counties.
Visit our website here: stengellaw.com/, email us at info@stengellaw.com, or call us at (212) 634-9222 for a free, confidential consultation.
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New York, NY 10004
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