Reopen a Missed Hearing (Default) by Mail

If you do not respond to a summons on or before the scheduled hearing date, you will receive a decision in the mail that finds you "in violation" of the charge by default and you may have to pay a higher fine.

You can submit your request by mail by printing the below form and sending the completed form to OATH at the address listed on the top of the form. You can submit the request form in the language you feel most comfortable using. Please note that the mail-in form is available in many different languages.

Request a New Hearing form (Español) (اللغة العربية) (বাংলা) (中文) (Kreyòl) (한국어) (Polskie) (Русском) (اردو)

If the request for a new hearing is received by the OATH Hearings Division within 75 days of the date of the missed hearing date, then OATH will grant the request.

If your request is granted

If your request for a new hearing is granted, OATH will mail you a new hearing date. *You must attend the new hearing.* If your summons is one that does not require you to come to the OATH hearing in person, you can submit a defense by mail, phone, online, but OATH must receive your defense on or before the new scheduled hearing date.

If your request is denied

You will have to pay the default penalty and any additional fees or interest that may have accrued. If you do not pay the penalty, the City may file papers with the Civil Court of New York City. The Department of Finance, the agency responsible for collecting money that is owed to the City, may also start collection activities. Learn about payment options.