Desk Appearance Tickets
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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 directing you to appear in court at a designated date and time in connection with an alleged crime. If you receive a Desk Appearance Ticket but fail to appear, the court may issue a warrant (C.P.L §150.60). 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 a permanent 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.
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 free 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:
| Offense | Code(s) | Jail | Other | Permanent Criminal Record? |
 |
||||
| Theft of Services | 165.15 | 1 Year | DNA Sample | Yes |
| Shoplifting | 155.25, 165.40 | 1 Year | DNA, Store may sue you | Yes |
| Marijuana | 221.10 | 90 Days | License Suspension | Yes |
| Drug Possession | 220.03 | 1 Year | DNA, Suspension | Yes |
| Suspended License | VTL 511 | 30 Days | DNA Sample | Yes |
| Assault 3 | 120.00 | 1 Year | DNA Sample | Yes |
| Trespassing | 140.10, 140.05 | 1 Year | DNA Sample | Yes |
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
The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. This is attorney advertising. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
