NEW YORK DAT LAWYERS AND NEW YORK SUMMONS LAWYERS

The NYPD set out each day to hand out summonses or Desk Appearance Tickets (DATs) for minor crimes. New York Summons and DATs are only issued for non-violent crimes and to first-time offenders. Some of the charges that generally warrant a summons or DAT are: theft of services (jumping the turnstile), public urination, shoplifting, possession of small amounts of controlled substances, and possession of small amounts of marijuana.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SUMMONS OR DAT

If you have been given a summons or a DAT, you luckily will not go through the “system,” or experience the normal arraignment procedure. That is a plus, considering that the normal arraignment procedure may keep you in a holding cell for sometimes close to 24 hours. The procedure when one is issued a New York summons or DAT is much more palpable. When you are stopped and given either a summons or a DAT, you will be given a “ticket” and told to return to the criminal courthouse, depending on which borough you were stopped, on a day in the future. Usually it may be about two months from the day you receive the summons or the DAT.

Some may think that because these are minor crimes, there is less to worry about and you will not need the services of an experienced New York Criminal Lawyer. You should not necessarily think that way. Although the crimes charged are minor, they may still be crimes. In fact, when one receives a DAT, that is considered an arrest. In theory, if you are convicted of the charge on the summons or the DAT, you could sustain a criminal record, which is turn, could lead to negative consequences for your employment, driver’s license privileges or your immigration status. In addition, if you do not return to court on the date indicated on the summons or DAT, the prosecution can request and a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Needless to say, when you receive a NYC summons or a DAT, it is a good idea to have an attorney handle it.

What this boils down to is: do not make what is a relatively minor situation worse. If you have been arrested and given a New York summons or a DAT, call the New York Summons Lawyers and the New York DAT Lawyers at Sullivan & Brill. It is never too early to call our New York summons lawyers or our New York DAT lawyers. Our New York summons lawyers and New York DAT lawyers will advise you of all of the options and risks of a summons or a DAT, as well as appear with you (or for you if you are a corporation or residing out of the city) when you are scheduled to appear.

Sullivan & Brill, LLP offers immediateconsultations to potential clients who have received a summons or a DAT in New York. Just complete the form to the left or call (212) 566-1000 to speak to an experienced New York criminal defense lawyer.  The firm has different fee arrangements, including flat fees and hourly fees, depending on the case.

For New York State criminal cases, the attorneys of Sullivan & Brill, LLP help clients throughout New York City (NYC - Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island), Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Westchester County, as well as the other NY counties. For federal cases, the firm's lawyers assist clients throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

In addition to it's New York office, the firm also has an office in San Juan, Puerto Rico staffed by an experienced federal criminal defense attorney.