Prompt Action In Desk Appearance Tickets And Pink Summons Cases
Have you received a desk appearance ticket, also known as a DAT or a Pink Summons? The consequences for ignoring such a ticket are large and could result in unnecessary fines and possible jail time. These tickets and summons are sent to the criminal court for dispositions.
At the Law Office of Luke Scardigno, I, attorney Luke Scardigno, have more than 30 years of experience handling such matters. I know what immediate actions to take when a client receives these tickets or pink summonses.
What Is A Desk Appearance Ticket?
A desk appearance ticket, or commonly referred to as a DAT, is a white 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper listing the charges you face. On the DAT, you will receive instructions as to which courthouse to appear and the date and time of the appearance.
Police officers in New York City will issue a desk appearance ticket only for misdemeanor crimes and violations, not felonies. It is common for a police officer to issue a desk appearance ticket in Queens for the following crimes or violations:
- Shoplifting or petit larceny
- Disorderly conduct
- Unlawful possession of marijuana
- Driving with a revoked or suspended license
- Misdemeanor assault
What To Expect From The Desk Ticket Appearance Process
Police Officers in Queens County do not issue desk appearance tickets for crimes involving felony charges. In order for a police officer to consider issuing a person a desk appearance ticket to appear in court on a future date, that person must have valid identification with them. Also, if the person has an open criminal case, warrants or an extensive criminal record, the police officer will usually not issue a desk appearance ticket. Instead, they will make an arrest.
Besides going through the full arrest process, you will be brought to an arraignment in front of a criminal court judge at the Queens Criminal Courthouse, in Kew Gardens, Queens.
The difference between the full arrest process and a desk appearance ticket being issued is that you can appear on your own at a future date for the arraignment when issued a DAT. This allows for you to skip the arrest process, which can take up to 24 hours. However, the issuance of a desk appearance ticket can take anywhere from one to several hours. You will be released on your own recognizance at some future date, rather than sitting around in jail waiting to see a Judge for an arraignment.
A Pink Summons
A pink summons, on the other hand, is approximately the same size of a traffic violation summons. The difference is that a pink summons charge includes some type of infraction or violation under the penal law or some other New York City law or code. A traffic violation summons, on the other hand, involves alleged violations of the New York state traffic rules and regulations.
However, there are times when a NYC police officer may issue a pink summons for a New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. Over the past several years, it is common for a New York City police officer to issue a pink summons for reckless driving. Reckless driving is an unclassified misdemeanor crime under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. A conviction of reckless driving will leave you with a criminal record.
NYC police officers commonly issue a pink summons for a variety of violations and infractions. Some of the most common are:
- Disorderly conduct
- Public urination
- Reckless driving
- Possession of open containers of alcohol
- Being in the park after closing
- Possessing a small amount of fireworks
- Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk
- Leaving an engine running in a car unattended
- Driving with a suspended registration
- Trucking violations
Free Consultation With A Queens Attorney
Whether facing the issuance of a desk appearance ticket or pink summons in Queens, an experienced and affordable criminal defense lawyer can assist in resolving your matter while preventing a permanent criminal record from negatively impacting your future. You can contact me at 718-414-6186 or send an email for a free consultation regarding desk appearance tickets or a pink summons.
Spanish and Italian language services are available.