OATH/ECB Violation & Summons Representation
What is the ECB and OATH Hearing Division?
The Environmental Control Board (“commonly referred to as the “ECB”) and the Office of Administrative Trials & Hearing – Hearing Division together (“OATH/ECB”) is NYC’s largest administrative court that conducts hearings on violations and summonses issued by City agencies for “quality of life” infractions (those infractions involving the failure to protect health, safety, and the environment). Their website can be found here.
OATH/ECB Hearing Division has Five Locations (click here location and phone number):
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– Manhattan: 66 John St., 10th Fl., New York, NY 10038
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– Bronx: 3030 Third Avenue, Bronx, NY 10455
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– Brooklyn: 9 Bond St., 6 & 7th Floors, Brooklyn, NY 11201
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– Queens: 31-00 47 Avenue. 3rd & 4th Floors, Long Island City, NY 11101
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– Staten Island: 350 St. Marks Pl., Main Flr., Staten Island, NY 10301
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– Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm
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– Phone: 844-OATH-NYC (844-628-4692)
The summonses and violations heard and decided by OATH/ECB are often serious and expensive with fines for just one violation or summons particularly from the Department of Buildings (“DOB”) ranging up to $25,000. Where the violation alleged is for transient use or illegal or additional apartments, the fines can easily go beyond $45,000. Be aware that the DOB like the other City Agencies generally will issue Owners and/or their Contractors and Construction professionals more than one Violation at a time. The penalties imposed by the ECB are publicly listed by the agencies that appear before it. The DOB Penalty Schedule can be found here.
Our lawyers will defend you against Summonses/Violations issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) at the OATH/ECB Court. Below is a sampling of DOB Matters that we can defend you against.
Besides defending you against the DOB, our Lawyers will defend and represent you on ALL matters before OATH and its ECB Division including but not limited to summonses/violations issued by the Fire Department (FDNY), Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”), Department of Health (“DOH”), Department of Transporatation (“DOT”) Department of Consumer Affairs (“DCA”) and many other City Agencies.
Why Choose Us for OATH/ECB Summons and Violation Defense?
We are knowledgable and experienced. We have integrity and insights and will give your matter the attention it deserves. With almost 20 years of combined experience and tens of thousands of hearings involving the litigation of summonses and violations under our belt, when you hire us you are getting one of our lawyers. There is no bait and switch. Click here for more information. We Will Defend You Against:
Criminal Court Summons
Both the Fire Department & the Department of Buildings (“DOB”) along with the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement has become extremely aggressive over the last several years in issuing violations and summonses including those returnable in Criminal Court (Part SAP2A). The Criminal Summonses and Violations may be charged as a misdemeanor and may result in big fines and a criminal record. Corporations and LLCs must be represented by an attorney in these matters. We Represent Clients on Criminal VIolations and Summonses issued by the DOB, FDNY, DOT, NYPD. You will get a clear explanation from us about what the charges mean and their level of seriousness. We will also appear and negotiate on your behalf or go to trial if necessary.
– Click here for address/location and contact information for the borough Criminal Court.
– For information about the status of a criminal case/summons, visit the NY State Unified Court System’s WebCriminal Website.
Other Regulatory Matters
We also advise and counsel clients on the compliance process including on the submission of the required Certificate of Correction after receipt of a DOB, HPD or FDNY summons; rescinding of a DOB’s Stop Work Order (“SWO”), Vacate Order and Cease Use Order; and DOB and DOT Job and Permit suspensions and revocations.