Summons Help Fact Sheets/FAQ Case Status Contact

Request Free Legal Assistance

Important: Free legal assistance is not yet available for every case at OATH nor is it for every respondent. Legal assistance is only available for individuals and not for business entities. Currently, outside, third-party volunteer attorneys/law students may be available to provide free legal assistance for certain violations involving summonses issued by the following enforcement agencies:

Department of Buildings (DOB)
Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC)
Port Authority Police (PAPD)

Additionally, if you are a street vendor, free legal assistance may also be available for summonses issued by the following enforcement agencies:

New York Police Department (NYPD)
Department of Sanitation (DSNY)
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
Department of Parks & Recreation (Parks)
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Please only submit this form if your summons was issued to you by DOB, TLC, or PAPD. If you are a street vendor and were issued any summons from any enforcement agency requiring you to appear at OATH, you may submit this form.

* Indicates required fields

Information About You

First Name*

Last Name*

Email

Phone*

Are you the person named on the summons?*

Yes No

Do you need a language interpreter?*

Yes No

Information Listed on the Summons

When is your OATH hearing date?

Summons Type*

Summons Number*

Respondent Name*

Respondent Address*

City/Borough*

State*

ZIP Code*

What Happens Next?

After you complete and submit this form, OATH will review your request. If you qualify for free legal assistance, OATH will refer your request to an attorney or a legal advocate. The attorney or advocate will contact you and further review your eligibility for free legal assistance. Be aware that even if you qualify, there may not be free legal assistance services available at the time you qualify. In those circumstances, you will be notified.

Please check the boxes to certify that you understand the following statements:

I understand that there is no guarantee that I will receive a response to this request for free legal assistance.*

I understand

I understand that the named respondent on the summons must follow the instructions on the summons to schedule and attend the hearing when no free legal assistance is available or if you do not hear from the attorney or advocate at least one week before your hearing date.*
Failure to properly request and appear for a hearing, pay the summons or reschedule the hearing will result in a decision finding the respondent "in violation" by default.

I understand

I understand that the lawyers and organizations providing free legal assistance are independent and separate from OATH.*
I understand that OATH does not screen the individual volunteer lawyers, the legal advocates, or those lawyers from the legal assistance organizations and that OATH does not give these lawyers any special certification or preferential treatment in adjudicating their cases when they appear at OATH.

I understand

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