Eugene hosts forum on summonses
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Council Member Dr.
Mathieu Eugene, in partnership
with the Office of Administrative
Trials and Hearings (OATH),
on Tuesday hosted a Community
forum on “How to Respond to
Summonses from NYC Enforcement
Agencies.”
At the forum, which was held
at Eugene’s 40th Council District
office, Deputy Commissioner of
Public Affairs Marisa Senigo and
Special Assistant Rachel Amar of
OATH discussed what to do when
a summons is received from a
city agency.
They also explained OATH’s
translation services, and OATH’s
remote hearing options, “which
provide a more convenient method
of fighting a summons when
recipients of summonses are not
able to go to hearings in person,”
Eugene said.
He said they were joined by
Acting Commissioner Tynia D.
Richard, who took questions
from the audience regarding the
legal process when responding to
a summons.
“The only way we can provide
the services that the people of
New York City deserve is by working
together. I want to thank
a wonderful, outstanding public
servant, my good friend John
Castelli from OATH, for making
this event possible,” Eugene said.
“Many people in New York City
do not take advantage of all of
the resources that are available
through city agencies.
Caribbean L 20 ife, December 13-19, 2019
“The legal system is very complex
and difficult to navigate for
those who need to interpret the
legislation,” he added. “When we
think about New York City, a city
which is home to so many immigrant
people, who work so hard
to raise their families and pay
their bills, they often don’t have
time to interpret the summonses
they receive.
“We have people who are business
owners, and many times
they find themselves in very difficult
situations regarding summonses
they receive,” the councilman
continued. “When people
are facing legal pressure, they
have to go to court, and many
people don’t understand where
to go or what to do.
“The reason we are here is
to let people know that help is
available,” he said. “The worst
situation that anyone can find
themselves in is trying to do
the right thing when you don’t
know what to do. People in New
York City are working very hard;
but, some of the time, they find
themselves in very tough situations
that have a negative impact
on their lives and the lives of
their loved ones. We don’t want
that to happen, and, as we say,
‘Knowledge is power.’”
Richard said her goal at OATH
is “to make sure that our judges
are treating you well when you
come in, that they are polite to
you, that you know the law and
that they write good decisions.
“You come into a hearing
and you give them the evidence.
You give your testimony and the
other side will give their testimony
and the judge is going to
make a decision,” she said. “Our
goal is to provide a good decision,
a fair hearing and to be transparent.”
From left, OATH Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs and Communications, Marisa Senigo,
Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Acting Commissioner, Tynia D. Richard and Special
Assistant Rachel Amar. Offi ce of Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene