Frequently Asked Questions About NYC Pink Summonses

What is a pink summons?

A pink summons — officially called a Criminal Court Appearance Ticket or C-summons — is an NYPD-issued ticket that requires you to appear before a judge in New York City Criminal Court. It is not a parking ticket. It is a criminal matter. The pink color and the words "Criminal Court Appearance Ticket" at the top distinguish it from other tickets.

What offenses are charged by pink summons?

The most common include: disorderly conduct, open container and drinking in public, smoking marijuana (in a vehicle, in a park or in a building), public urination, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, failure to observe a traffic control device (running a red light or stop sign on a bicycle), trespass, park after dark violations, reckless driving, unlicensed or unregistered vehicle operation, subway offenses, unlicensed general vending, and noise violations. Corporations can also receive pink summonses for FDNY fire code violations, trucking violations, and unlicensed business operations.

If police also took your moped or e-scooter, here's how to get a seized moped or e-scooter back from the NYPD.

Do I actually have to go to court?

If your ticket says "Appearance Required" — and essentially all NYC pink summonses do — then yes, someone must appear in court on your behalf. That someone can be you, or it can be your attorney. If you hire SummonsPros, your attorney appears for you. In most cases, you do not need to set foot in the courthouse.

What happens if I miss my court date?

The judge will issue a bench warrant. A bench warrant is an open instruction to law enforcement to bring you before the court. Any time you encounter police — a traffic stop, a background check, any interaction — the warrant will show up and you can be detained. If you have already missed your date, contact us immediately. The court's official guidance says a warrant can only be cleared/vacated by a defendant's appearance before a judge. In practice, on summons cases, some judges will vacate the warrant with only your lawyer present, and some will insist on seeing you. If it's possible to get it done without you being there, we will get it done.

Can a pink summons give me a criminal record?

Yes. Some pink summons charges are violations, but others are actual misdemeanors. A misdemeanor conviction is a permanent criminal record in New York. Even a violation can appear on certain background checks. This is why having an attorney matters — the difference between a dismissal and a conviction is significant, especially if you have a professional license or work in a licensed industry.

I'm not a U.S. citizen. Should I be worried?

Potentially, yes. Non-citizens need to be careful with any criminal court matter, including summonses. A conviction — even for a minor offense — can affect immigration status, green card applications, naturalization, and visa renewals. We have specific experience handling summons matters for non-citizen clients where immigration consequences are the primary concern. Contact us before you do anything else.

What does SummonsPros charge?

Personal pink summonses in Manhattan and Brooklyn are a flat fee of $350, with no hourly billing. The fee covers resolving your summons by appearing in Court on your behalf. Additional fees, disclosed up front: cases in Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx carry a $150 surcharge; cases already in bench warrant status carry a $150 surcharge; and if your court date is within 48 hours, a $100 expedited handling fee may apply. Multiple appearances or trial incur additional charges. Trucking summonses start at $495, and multiple summonses from the same stop are bundled at a discount — you don't pay a lawyer four times for four tickets. FDNY fire code matters start at $750. Serious or multi-count commercial matters are quoted individually.

For how our fee compares, see what a pink summons lawyer costs in NYC.

How does the process work?

Fill out our short intake form with your ticket information. We send you a retainer agreement — sign it from your phone. You send us a copy of the ticket and payment. We file the Notice of Appearance with the court, appear on your behalf, handle the negotiation, and resolve the matter. Our flat fee is built around resolving your case on your behalf. We keep you updated throughout.

Do I have to come to your office?

No. The entire intake process can be handled by phone, email, and electronic signature. We serve all five boroughs and you never need to come to our office unless you want to.

I got a bench warrant for a missed summons. Can you help?

Yes. Contact us immediately. The court's official guidance says a warrant can only be cleared/vacated by a defendant's appearance before a judge. In practice, on summons cases, some judges will vacate the warrant with only your lawyer present, and some will insist on seeing you. If it's possible to get it done without you being there, we will get it done. Do not wait — the longer the warrant is open, the more risk you carry.

Do you handle summonses outside NYC?

Our pink summons practice is focused on New York City Criminal Court. For matters in Nassau County, Westchester, Long Island, or New Jersey, we can refer you to trusted attorneys in those jurisdictions — just ask.

Do you handle OATH summonses?

OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings) matters are a different process from Criminal Court summonses. We handle OATH matters on a case-by-case basis — contact us.

Not sure which kind you have? Here's how to tell a pink summons from an OATH summons.

What is an ACD?

An Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal is one of the best outcomes in a summons case. The case is adjourned for a period — typically 6 months — and if you have no further issues during that time, the case is automatically dismissed and the record is sealed. We pursue ACDs aggressively where they are available.

What is the difference between a violation and a misdemeanor?

Violations are the least serious offense level in New York. They are not crimes and do not result in a criminal record in the traditional sense, though they can appear on certain background checks. Misdemeanors are crimes — a conviction is a permanent criminal record. Many pink summons charges are violations, but some — like certain disorderly conduct and trespass charges — are misdemeanors. Knowing which you are facing matters enormously for how the case is handled.

How long does it take to resolve a summons case?

Our flat fee is built around resolving your case in one appearance on your behalf. The timeline depends on the charge, the borough, the court's calendar, and attorney scheduling. Multiple appearances or trial incur additional charges. We will give you a realistic timeline after we review your ticket.