Online Hearing Submission

*You must respond to your Summons.* If you wish to fight a summons, you must do so on or before the hearing date listed on the summons.

What is an Online Hearing?

An Online Hearing allows you to fight the summons by using a simple, online form. The form allows you to type a defense and attach up to three electronic files to support your case. If you want to have a Online Hearing, the Online Submission Hearing form must be submitted to the Hearings Division on or before the hearing date. The Hearings Division will only consider the first Online Hearing form that you submit for each summons.

Am I Allowed to Have an Online Hearing?

Not all summonses are eligible for an Online Hearing.

Enter the violation code on your summons below to learn if you are allowed to have a Online Hearing.

All summonses that are issued for a violation of the NYC Health Code (for example, restaurant, rodent and pest control, day care, swimming pool, radiation and nuisance cases) are eligible for an Online Hearing even if the violation code you enter below is not found.

For all other summonses, if your violation code is not found below, you must appear in person or by phone.

OATH’s Help Center is conducting remote Help Sessions during the COVID-19 outbreak. If you are self-represented and you want assistance with your case before your hearing or before your submit your defense, please visit the Help Center section of this website to learn how to contact them.

How do I Complete a Online Hearing?

Complete and submit the Online Hearing Submission Form. The form allows you to attach up to three (3) electronic files 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 attach 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 attach 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 attach a copy of the sale records.

Can I submit my responses on the Online Hearing form in a language other than English?

Yes. If you feel more comfortable submitting your responses on the Online Hearing form in a language other than English, please do so. OATH will have your submission translated into English before it is given to the OATH Hearing Officer assigned to your case. All translation services are provided by OATH free of charge.

If I have an Online Hearing, can I opt for Community Service if I am found to be "in violation"?

You might have the option of community service, however not all summonses allow for the option of community service. If you are eligible for community service it will be noted in the OATH decision you receive after your online hearing.