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, public urination, trespass, park after dark violations, reckless driving, unlicensed or unregistered vehicle operation, marijuana possession, 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.
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 on the court date. 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. We can appear to recall the warrant.
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 are a flat fee of $350. We guarantee this is the lowest price you will find from a licensed NYC criminal defense attorney — or we will match any competitor's advertised rate. Commercial, FDNY, and trucking summonses are quoted individually based on the number of counts and complexity.
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 court date, handle the negotiation, and resolve the matter. Most cases are resolved in one or two appearances. 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. We can appear in court to recall the bench warrant, often without you needing to be present. 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.
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?
Most personal summons matters are resolved in one or two court appearances. The timeline depends on the charge, the borough, the court's calendar, and whether the ADA is willing to offer a dismissal or ACD at the first appearance. We will give you a realistic timeline after we review your ticket.