Available 24/7. FREE attorney consultation via phone, video conferencing, or in person

Call For Your Free Consultation

New York City Desk Appearance Ticket Lawyer - Lebedin Kofman LLP - DAT Attorney

Committed to Your Success & Satisfaction

If you have been accused of a crime in New York City, getting the best possible criminal defense is crucial. Once convicted, your freedom and your future are in jeopardy. Especially at the beginning of any criminal investigation, you need to be aware of your legal rights and what you should and should not say or do. Understanding and protecting your legal rights at the outset of any investigation is crucial.

From the moment you realize you are suspected of a crime, anything you say and do will be held under a legal microscope and may derail your defense. At Lebedin Kofman LLC, we understand the grave stakes at hand. From the moment you call us, we are your staunchest advocates. Our New York City desk appearance ticket lawyers understand the perils you are facing and will guide and advise you each step of the way. The quality of your defense is critical in a criminal case. Don’t leave yours to chance.

Schedule a free consultation with a New York criminal defense lawyer about desk appearance tickets and cases. Call us today at (646) 663-4430.

Have You Received a Desk Appearance Ticket?

Being targeted in a criminal investigation can be an intimidating thing. You may not even realize you are a suspect until you are arrested. 

Depending on the offense, you may be issued a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) instead of being put through a being held for a formal arrest process. While desk appearance tickets are still very serious, they will allow you to go home temporarily and appear in court at a designated time and place.

Being issued a desk appearance ticket does not mean that you are guilty of a crime, but you have been suspected of and arrested for one. Consequently, anything you do and say from this moment can be held against you, even if you are not being held in a jail cell. If you have been issued a DAT, you should get immediate legal representation.

At Lebedin Kofman, you get the dedicated legal defense of highly experienced criminal defense attorneys. Our New York City desk appearance ticket lawyers will guide you through the process of appearing in court, advise you of your rights, what the prosecuting attorneys will be looking for, and help devise a strategy for your criminal defense. With us on your side, you get strong legal advocates who are focused on one thing: your freedom.

CrimeDescription
ShopliftingTheft of merchandise from a store, typically involving concealment and exiting without payment
Grand Larceny ShopliftingTheft of goods valued under $3,000, often involving intentional concealment
Theft of ServicesIllegally obtaining services without payment, such as evading transportation fares
Weapons PossessionUnlawful possession of certain types of weapons, such as firearms without proper permits
Possession of a Controlled SubstanceUnauthorized possession of illegal drugs, including narcotics and prescription medication
Marijuana PossessionUnauthorized possession of marijuana for personal use, prohibited by state law
AssaultIntentional harm or threat of harm to another person, ranging from physical violence to verbal threats
Property Damage CrimesVandalism or destruction of property, including graffiti, damage to vehicles, or defacement of buildings

What is a Desk Appearance Ticket?

A desk appearance ticket, or simply, an appearance ticket, is a legal document that orders you to appear in court at a specific place, date, and time. While you are not going through the formal arrest process at the time it is issued, you must still consider this an arrest. When you appear in court at the date and time designated, you will be expected to respond to accusations that you committed a crime.

When facing any criminal charges in New York City, whether you have been formally arrested or issued a DAT, you are legally entitled to an attorney. But not all criminal defense attorneys are alike. The quality of your criminal defense can make the difference between a serious conviction that puts you behind bars and follows you for the rest of your life or having charges dismissed or reduced.

At Lebedin Kofman, attorney Russ Kofman and his team of New York City lawyers offer a serious and aggressive criminal defense for a client facing criminal charges. When your future is at stake, your legal defense is critical. Let our New York City criminal defense lawyers help.

Schedule a free consultation with an experienced criminal lawyer about desk appearance tickets and your case. Contact us at (646) 663-4430.

Schedule A free Consultation

Schedule a free consultation

What Crimes May Be Prosecuted Through a DAT in New York?

Schedule A free Consultation

Not all offenses will be considered for a desk appearance ticket. A DAT is most often issued for misdemeanors and some Class E felony offenses. These are still very serious criminal charges, and a desk appearance ticket should be taken seriously.

Some of the most common crimes that qualify for the issuance of a desk appearance ticket can include:

  • Shoplifting
  • Grand larceny shoplifting where the value is less than $3,000
  • Theft of services
  • Some weapons possessions
  • Possession of a controlled substance
  • Marijuana possession
  • Assault
  • Property damage crimes

Before a desk appearance ticket is issued, law enforcement will verify that you have a local address. They will also check to see if you have a prior criminal record. If you have a record, you will not be issued a DAT. Even if you have no prior record and have a local address, if you are facing charges of domestic violence, you will not be issued a DAT.

A DAT is the very beginning of criminal prosecution. You are facing serious criminal charges and should take a DAT seriously. A misdemeanor in New York City is a serious offense and can carry penalties of up to a year in prison, fines, and other penalties. Any criminal conviction can follow you for the rest of your life and affect your future employment and even where you live.

If you have been issued a DAT, you should not appear in court without legal representation. At Lebedin Kofman, you can rely on us to offer you the diligent and dedicated legal defense you deserve. We believe every defendant is entitled to a high-quality defense and our skilled New York City desk appearance attorneys will advise and guide you through the entire process.

What Happens If You Fail to Appear in Court for Your DAT?

Not appearing for a DAT can be a critical mistake. Regardless of your excuse, if you fail to appear in court on a desk appearance ticket, the court may decide to execute a bench warrant for your arrest.

Similar to “jumping bail,” a failure to appear may magnify the original charges against you and result in additional charges. The court may choose to take a more serious stance with your original charges, which can further complicate your defense and impact how you are considered by the court going forward.

If your failure to appear is unavoidable, your NYC desk appearance ticket attorney may be able to reschedule your date or appear on your behalf. While not common, there are some cases where your lawyer may be able to resolve the situation without your appearance.

What Happens If You Fail to Appear in Court for Your DAT?

If you have been issued a DAT, it is critical to get experienced criminal defense representation as soon as possible. With the skilled New York City desk appearance ticket lawyers at Lebedin Kofman on your side, our primary focus is to protect your future and freedom. We will explain your obligations and options under the law and ensure that your legal rights are being protected each step of the way.

Call us at (646) 663-4430 today or contact us through our website contact form to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys. There is not a moment to lose.

Our Clients Share Their Experiences

The Opinions That Matter Most

Our Commitment

Fighting For Your Best Interest

We Have a Highly Experienced Legal Team

When You Hire Us, You Get Us

We Speak Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian & Spanish

We Offer Free Consultations In Person & Over The Phone

We Have a Proven Track Record

We Are Available 24/7

Request a Free Consultation

Please fill out the form below and we will respond to your inquiry within
24-hours guaranteed.

Table of Contents