What Happens if You Ignore a Desk Appearance Ticket?

Thousands of people get desk appearance tickets in Brooklyn and beyond, and unfortunately, many don’t take them seriously.

The problem?

Ignoring a desk appearance ticket in Brooklyn will land you in jail.

What is a Desk Appearance Ticket?

It doesn’t sound that serious, but a desk appearance ticket is what you get when you’re arrested and authorities don’t think you’re going to leave the state (or worse, the country).

Despite its somewhat misleading name, it’s not a ticket in the same sense as those you’d get for speeding, jaywalking or public intoxication.

When police issue you a DAT, you’re only off the hook temporarily; you get a court date, and you’re required to be there. You just don’t have to wait for that date from a jail cell.

Usually, authorities issue desk appearance tickets for minor crimes such as shoplifting, trespassing, or possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Ignoring a Desk Appearance Ticket

Failure to appear in court is something that New York laws don’t deal with lightly. If you don’t show up, the judge will issue a warrant for your arrest (and the chances of you getting another DAT are pretty slim at that point).

If you don’t show up in court, you could even face an escalation of the original charges. The judge might be less likely to show you leniency too.

Bottom line: don’t ignore a DAT.

Bringing a Lawyer to Handle Your Desk Appearance Ticket

Most people find that it’s helpful to bring a lawyer with them on the day they must appear in court. Because the judge will inform you of your charges, and because he or she will tell you to enter a plea for those charges, it’s a good idea to let your attorney walk you through the process.

The Brooklyn court system moves fast. It’s not uncommon for a judge to deal with dozens of DATs in one day, and he or she will probably want to move you through the court system as quickly as possible. While it’s nice to have closure, the last place you want to feel rushed is in a courtroom with your future at stake. That’s why you probably want to bring a lawyer with you; he can explain everything and make sure that your rights are protected under New York law.

Your attorney might also be able to ask for a lesser charge, he or she might be able to determine that the arresting agency made grave mistakes before, during or after your arrest.