New York City Vandalism and Criminal Mischief Desk Appearance Ticket Attorneys
The New York criminal lawyers at Crotty Saland PC routinely defend clients facing desk appearance tickets (D.A.T.) and misdemeanor charges involving property damage crimes as defined by the New York penal law. Before starting the defense firm, our founding attorneys prosecuted criminal mischief, graffiti and vandalism crimes in the criminal courts of Manhattan for years in Robert Morgenthau's Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Beyond this time on the front line of the criminal justice system, our lawyers have further honed their skills in New York City's courtrooms defending our clients against criminal allegations. It is this knowledge and real world experience that our criminal defense attorneys rely on to defend our clients passionately and with the commitment to seek the best possible outcomes, whatever it may be.
An individual charged with a misdemeanor property crime for making graffiti or possessing graffiti instruments or who received a criminal mischief D.A.T. should always take action as soon as possible. If nothing else is done, at a minimum you should educate yourself on the law and ascertain the defense you believe will exonerate you or mitigate your conduct. Do not make the mistake of assuming that such a charge is inconsequential.
Sadly, your mistake or a misunderstanding that led to your arrest for criminal mischief can have a significant impact on your life and career. This is true even if you are not ultimately convicted of any crime and if your attorney is successful in achieving a noncriminal disposition. Don't take a passive approach to these types of criminal allegations as you may find yourself dealing with the mistakes years or decades after the proceedings are over.
Several sections of the New York penal law deal with nonviolent property crimes. These include:
- Making Graffiti, NY PL §145.60
- Possession of Graffiti Instruments such as spray cans and paint markers, NY PL §145.65
- Criminal Mischief and Vandalism, NY PL §145.00, §145.05, §145.10 and §145.12
These offenses can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the value of the property damaged. It is critical to note that merely because your D.A.T. charges one offense, prosecutors are not bound to only charging that crime. What police may charge as a misdemeanor may in fact become a felony when you see a judge. Further, it is crucial to have an attorney who can argue for reduction or dismissal of the charges, assuming that defense is viable and applicable. Whether or not he or she is successful with this defensive tactic is not as important as ascertaining the proper defense that will work in your case.
Any criminal conviction for a property damage crime — felony or misdemeanor — can limit your career choices and your ability to obtain professional licenses. Beyond that, jail or state prison is a legal possibility. Because of this, our attorneys defend against seemingly minor property damage charges vigorously, determining if the police had probable cause to make an arrest or issue a D.A.T. We also explore if it is possible to challenge the evidence against you. Not mutually exclusive, we will work diligently to find out if there are any mitigating circumstances that can be used in your favor. In short, we work hard to protect our clients.
Our law firm serves clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Westchester County. Call us at 646-808-3300 or contact us online today to speak with our New York property damage desk appearance ticket attorneys.
