Desk Appearance Tickets

A Desk Appearance Ticket, often called a DAT, is a ticket or order issued by the police for an individual to appear in Criminal Court to respond to an accusation that an offense has been committed.

While one often can receive a DAT in what might be considered less serious crimes, such as  violations or misdemeanors it can, on occasion, be given in low level felony cases, though this is uncommon.  Either way, a DAT should be treated very seriously as it can have a permanent impact on your future, depending on the outcome.

Once an individual is believed to have committed an offense, the police can either arrest that person and hold them until they go before a judge, or they can issue a DAT.  With a DAT, the police will prepare much of the paperwork, but instead of holding you until you appear in court, they will give you a specific date in the future for you to appear. It is imperative that you seek out the advice of an attorney that can guide you through this process and protect your rights.

Warrants

The most common type of warrant is a Bench Warrant.  A bench warrant is issued by the Judge when an individual fails to appear in Court on the date they were scheduled to appear.  A bench warrant, like any arrest warrant, can have serious consequences.  For example, a failure to appear voluntarily on an open case can land an individual in jail for even the most minor cases, so it is imperative to have legal guidance to assist in a voluntary surrender to the court and give you the best chance of avoiding any jail time.

An arrest warrant is a document a judge or magistrate signs that permits a law enforcement agency to make a particular person’s arrest. Judges might issue arrest warrants if someone alleges to the court that someone has committed a crime even if a law enforcement officer did not see the crime being committed.  If an individual learns that there is a warrant for their arrest, they should immediately obtain legal counsel.  An attorney can assist in a voluntary surrender to the police or law enforcement agency.  In addition, by obtaining counsel before an apprehension, it becomes extremely difficult for an arresting agency to obtain any statements legally from the arrested party.

Finally, if a person is  arrested on a warrant before having a chance to retain an attorney, the best course of action is to refuse to make any statements, request an attorney, and then immediately hire an attorney. Julie Rendelman understands the importance of protecting a client’s rights during this emotional time. She is well versed at guiding her clients through the process in order to maintain a level playing field with law enforcement agents.

If you have been issued a Desk Appearance Ticket, or are concerned you have an arrest warrant or a bench warrant, then call of the Law Offices of Julie Rendelman, LLC at 212-951-1232. Julie offers free initial consultations to prospective clients. With over 22 years of legal experience, Julie  is highly qualified to help you get through any type of criminal proceeding.