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Hearing by Phone

*Text OATHreminder to (917) 451-8829 to get text message reminders about your case*

What is a Hearing by Phone?

A Hearing by Phone allows you to fight the summons by telling a Hearing Officer over the phone why you think the charges on a summons should be dismissed. You will have the opportunity to email documents to OATH during your Hearing by Phone to support your case. For example:

  • If you are fighting the summons because you did not own the property on the date the summons was issued, you may want to submit a copy of the deed.
  • If the person named on the summons was deceased on the date the summons was issued, you may want to submit a copy of the death certificate.
  • If you are fighting the summons because you did not own the vehicle on the date the summons was issued, you may want to submit a copy of the sale records.

How to Schedule Your Hearing by Phone

You must request your phone hearing at least three (3) business days but not more than one (1) month before your hearing date. To reduce wait times on the day of your hearing, once you have called to check in you may opt to receive a call back once your hearing is ready to proceed.

To request and schedule your Hearing by Phone, please fill out the Request Phone Hearing Online form.

Or you can schedule your hearing by sending an email to OATH. If you choose to send an email, please contact OATH at the hearing location listed on your summons:

In your email, you must include the following four (4) pieces of information:

  • All summons #s for the summonses you want to have a hearing by phone. Do not submit more than one hearing request for the same date.
  • The date and time of your hearing.
  • Respondent’s name, as it appears on the summons(es).
  • If you are not the respondent named on the summons, tell us your relationship to respondent.
  • If you are a registered rep, you must also attach a copy of your authorization for each respondent.

What Happens After Requesting Your Hearing by Phone?

After you contact us using one of the contact methods above, OATH will send you an email confirmation followed by another email with the phone number and PIN # to use for your phone hearing. You must call the phone number and use the PIN # provided to check in for your hearing on the date of your scheduled hearing, which will also be listed in the email. You must call in within three hours of the hearing time noted on the summons. If you previously had the hearing date changed you must call in within three hours of the time listed on the adjournment order or rescheduled notice.

If you do not receive the email with a PIN # by the morning of your hearing date, check your junk or spam folder and if you still do not find an OATH email then email the Clerk’s Office at clerksofficemail@oath.nyc.gov.

If you are self-represented and you want assistance with your case prior to your hearing, please visit the Help Center section of this website to learn more about their services and the different ways to contact them.