Desk Appearance Tickets - New York City Defense Attorney

A desk appearance ticket, (sometimes just called “appearance ticket”) under C.P.L §150.10, is a written notice issued by a police officer which directs a defendant to appear in criminal court at a designated date and time in connection with an alleged crime. Desk appearance tickets are more serious than pink colored NYPD summonses and are generally used for misdemeanor charges. If you receive a desk appearance ticket but fail to appear, the court may issue a warrant (C.P.L §150.60). This warrant may, in turn, lead to very serious consequences including long periods of incarceration and arrest at home or your place of work. Following arrest, a police officer can choose to give you a desk appearance ticket instead of bringing you to central booking. It is a substitute, then, for the "normal" arrest process. The desk appearance ticket lists a "return date" which tells you and your lawyer when and where to appear for your arraignment. At an arraignment, you and your lawyer will be informed about the charges and bail can be set. Depending on the charges, a desk appearance ticket carries the risk of incarceration, fines, immigration consequences and apermanent record. If it is shoplifting related, there is also a risk that the store may sue for damages that can greatly exceed the value of the merchandise. If it is assault related, there is a risk that, depending on the outcome, you may suffer civil liablity. Please contact us to discuss other consequences of your desk appearance ticket.

Is a desk appearance ticket serious? Yes. See the sentencing chart below. Regardless of whether this is your first arrest, or whether you've been arrested before, you should never go to criminal court without calling us first. You'll be glad that you did.

Do I Need a Lawyer? Yes. A desk appearance ticket signals the start of a criminal prosecution and you are required to have a lawyer defending you in court. Contact us at 212-619-3900 (nights and weekends are ok) for a Evaluation and confidential case evaluation which can be conducted in person or over the phone. This evaluation will allow Mr. Fletcher to advise you of the situation you are facing, any defense you might have, and ways to achieve your goals.

MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN DESK APPEARANCE TICKET OFFENSES:

Don't see your charge above? Call us at 212-619-3900

A SMALL SAMPLE OF OUR MANY DESK APPEARANCE TICKET SUCCESSES:

Shoplifting (P.L. 155.25, 165.40) - Manhattan - Client left Macy's without paying for two sweaters that were hidden in client's purse - case dismissed, no criminal record, no fines

Marijuana (P.L. 221.20, 221.05) - Manhattan - Marijuana cigarette recovered from client's hand - Client in the process of being naturalized - all charges dropped, case dismissed, no criminal record, no fines

Assault (P.L. 120.00) - Brooklyn - Client was pushed into another person and charged with assault - Successfully avoided case being filed in court - all records sealed

Shoplifting (P.L. 155.25, 165.40) - Queens - all charges dismissed - no criminal record - no fines

Assault (P.L. 120.00) - Manhattan - Client observed striking another individual outside a bar - case eventually dismissed - all records sealed - no fines

Driving w/ Suspended License (VTL 511, 509) - Manhattan - Client confessed to the arresting officer - no criminal record, small fine

Marijuana (P.L. 221.20, 221.05) - Manhattan - Client found with marijuana cigarette and stash of marijuana in a box on his person - client had sensitive security related job - case dismissed, no record, no fines

Trespassing (P.L. 140.15) - The Bronx - case dismissed - no criminal record - no fines

Aggravated Harassment (P.L. 240.30) - Brooklyn - Successfully avoided case ever being filed in court - all records sealed

Shoplifting (P.L. 155.25, 165.40) - Queens - Client left Century 21 without paying for a wallet that triggered the alarm when Client attempted to leave – Clients employer knew about the case - case dismissed, no criminal record, no fines – no negative employment action

Marijuana (P.L. 221.20, 221.05) - Brooklyn - Marijuana cigarette recovered from client's hand - Client in the process of applying to an employer who performs routine background checks - all charges dropped, case dismissed, no criminal record, no fines

Assault (P.L. 120.00) - Manhattan - Client was charged with assault in a subway related incident – Client was merely defending himself – Case dismissed – no record