A DAT is an order to appear in criminal court on a specific date for an arraignment. It means you were arrested but released without having to wait in jail for a judge. Do not ignore it—a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

In the federal system, pretrial release is governed by the Bail Reform Act, and there is no cash bail bondsman system. Instead, a person is either released on conditions—often secured by property or co-signers—or detained pending trial if the court finds they pose a flight risk or a danger to the community. Even if bail is initially denied, an experienced criminal defense attorney may still be able to secure release by presenting a comprehensive bail package and making a strong argument in court. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.