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Manhattan Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) Lawyers

Understanding Desk Appearance Tickets (DATs) in New York

There are many situations in New York that a person could be arrested, but not taken to jail and put through the booking process. Instead of doing this, the arresting law enforcement officer will issue the person a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT). This is a document that will require the person to go to the criminal court at a designated date in the future.


What is a DAT?

When a person attends their DAT court hearing, they will be arraigned in front of a judge from the criminal court. There are a number of reasons a person could receive a DAT. This includes criminal acts such as Class E Felonies as well as misdemeanors and more. People have gotten a DAT for driving with a suspended license, assault, harassment, larceny, and more. Issuing a DAT is done at the discretion of law enforcement in many different circumstances. The reason for giving a person a DAT, instead of taking them to the police station for booking, is that it’s believed the arrested person is not a flight risk. The arresting officer has determined the person can be trusted to be in court on the designated day.

George FernandezGeorge Fernandez
14:16 30 Apr 24
Excellent 10 out of 10, Helped resolve my case. Jeremy explained everything and made everything easy to understand.
RajRaj
21:33 24 Apr 24
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
Yelva Saint-PreuxYelva Saint-Preux
19:26 19 Apr 24
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Katherine SunKatherine Sun
18:08 18 Apr 24
my lawyer is Alex Zhik. Efficient, patient and professional
Nun yaNun ya
17:48 18 Apr 24
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Keisha ParrisKeisha Parris
20:45 15 Mar 24
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
TaĂŻko BeautyTaĂŻko Beauty
16:26 15 Mar 24
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
K MarK Mar
01:37 25 Jan 24
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
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Taking a DAT Seriously

It is essential when a person is issued a DAT: they take it seriously. In some situations, people have gotten a jail sentence at their DAT court date. Too many people make the mistake of believing that since they were given a DAT, and not booked into jail, their case is not too bad. They don’t realize they still have a chance of getting a significant punishment for their charges. Being arrested and given a DAT does pose a real and very serious threat of a person getting a criminal record. This could have some very negative consequences for their career, family, and other situations outside of the courtroom.


Court Proceedings

One of the first things that happen when a person appears in court for their DAT is they find out if their court papers are ready. It is possible they will not be ready. This does not mean a person’s case is the focus of special attention; it usually is the result of bureaucratic inefficiency. When this does happen, a person is asked to sign in as proof they appeared at the time requested on their DAT. A person can then leave but will be given a new date for their court appearance.


Possible Outcomes

It is possible for a prosecutor at the District Attorney’s office to carefully examine the facts of a DAT and decide it is better to not proceed with the case. When this happens, a person will be given a paper that describes this situation and provides contact information should they have questions.


Seeking Legal Help

It is important when people who have been issued a DAT they understand the seriousness of the situation. It is often a good idea for them to discuss their DAT with a defense attorney. These legal professionals will be able to help a person understand the legal consequences of the DAT they were issued. A defense attorney will know how to approach the charges associated with a DAT. In most cases, a defense attorney won’t be able to negotiate with the prosecutor prior to the scheduled court date. A prosecutor will most likely not have yet been assigned to the case.


Attorney Representation

It is possible in certain circumstances for an attorney to appear in court on behalf of their client for a DAT hearing. This can only be done if there is a very compelling reason for it to occur. Doing this does involve a certain level of risk. If a judge does not agree with the reason for the person not appearing, they can issue a warrant for the person’s arrest. This is something that should only be considered after being discussed with an experienced defense attorney.

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