Transit Adjudication Bureau
To Dispute a Violation
A hearing process has been established to permit an individual who has been issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) the right to challenge the violation before an impartial Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer will review the violation along with all pertinent information and will accept testimony and evidence from the recipient of the NOV (the respondent) and in appropriate cases as determined by the Hearing Officer, from the police officer or inspector who issued the NOV as well as any witness or other concerned party relating to the issuance of the violation. Respondents may dispute the allegations contained in the NOV by mail or in person.
When to dispute the violation
The hearing date written on the face of your NOV is set approximately 30 days from the date of your alleged violation. This is the last day you may appear in person at the Transit Adjudication Bureau to dispute your violation. You may appear in person between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm any business day on or before the hearing date.
Disputing a violation in person
Simply appear at:
Transit Adjudication Bureau
29 Gallatin Place – 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm any business day on or before the hearing date.
Every effort will be made to conduct the hearing on the date of your appearance, although there are instances in which an adjournment may sometimes be necessary. For example, if you appear in the afternoon, on a date in which there is an exceptionally large amount of people who appear for hearings an adjournment may be necessary. Also, if after hearing your testimony the Hearing Officer deems necessary the appearance of the officer who wrote the Notice of Violation, the hearing will be adjourned to schedule the officer's appearance.
You may also request by mail that an in-person hearing be scheduled on a specified date by sending a written request to:
Transit Adjudication Bureau
PO Box 29133
Brooklyn, NY 11202-9133
Be sure to include on the request the violation number found on the upper left hand corner of the Notice of Violation.
At the time of your hearing: Bring your Notice of Violation, photo ID, and all documents and witnesses you wish the Hearing Officer to consider. If you are under 18, you should appear with your parent or legal guardian. If the violation is for fare evasion, it is also advisable to bring any MetroCard claimed to have been used in an effort to gain access to the bus or subway.
Individuals who have been issued a violation are permitted, but are not required, to bring an attorney or other representative to the hearing.
At the hearing, you and any other witness will be required to take an oath to tell the truth. The hearing will be recorded by use of an electronic recording device. The Hearing Officer will review the Notice of Violation, along with all pertinent information, testimony and evidence. Where the Hearing Officer deems it appropriate, the police officer or inspector may be asked to testify. Otherwise, the police officer or inspector will not participate in the hearing. In appropriate cases, the Hearing Officer, at his or her discretion, may also adjourn the hearing in order to allow additional evidence or testimony to be produced.
At the conclusion of the hearing: The Hearing Officer will issue a decision based upon the evidence and will either uphold or dismiss the violation. All charges must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. In most cases, you will have the opportunity to wait for a copy of the decision in the reception area. If you do not wait for your decision, a copy of the decision will be mailed to you by certified mail in accordance with prescribed legal requirements.
If the violation is dismissed, you are no longer responsible for the payment of the fine. If the violation is upheld, the Hearing Officer will impose the fine for the violation in question. Under certain circumstances, where a violation for fare evasion is upheld, the Hearing Officer may reduce the amount of the fine stated on the Notice of Violation.
If you are unable to communicate effectively in the English language, telephonic interpreter services will be made available to you. You should advise the Hearing Officer when you enter the hearing room if you would like to make use of these services. Click here for more information about language services.
If you are hearing impaired and would like a sign interpreter, you must write to TAB and advise us of your selected hearing date and time. TAB will then schedule a sign language interpreter to be on site on the date and time of your hearing. Click here for more information about making arrangements for a sign language interpreter.
Disputing a violation by mail
As an alternative to an in-person hearing, written statements requesting an adjudication by mail may be sent to:
Transit Adjudication Bureau
PO Box 29133
Brooklyn, NY 11202-9133
Include your Notice of Violation and all documents and statements you wish to be considered on your behalf. Your statement should fully explain the basis upon which you claim the summons should not have been issued. Your statement, as well as the statement of any witness(es) you wish to provide, must be sworn to before a notary public.
All evidence you present will be reviewed by a Hearing Officer and you will receive a decision by mail.
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