NYC Civil Court — Local services in New York

Don’t ever show up to court without legal representation. The court system isn’t set up to help the little man or woman. Even if you are innocent, the judges only care about settling the case and getting your issue off their plate regardless of the cost or how this case might look on your record or if it damages your reputation. They make you go to a conference room in a back beforehand with the other party supervised by an unfriendly police officer. They make assumptions about who you are without looking at facts of the case. I lost by default because I didn’t know about my case until it was too late. I tried to vacate the judgement and tried to find a lawyer to help me do so but it was hard to find one and when I finally did find a lawyer. He said he couldn’t appear on the date I had court for the second time. This court does not care about whatever suffering the other party might have caused you and when you are given no choice but to settle - it is like reliving again the pain caused by the other party. I was told by the judge, “I made a good choice” but how can she know? She didn’t live what I experienced - one simple google search on the plaintiff would have proved I was innocent and that he was the oppressor. He was the man who hides behind his many lawyers and I only a Hispanic woman without a lawyer. It was an expensive lesson to learn and I lost all faith in the legal system and judges. It isn’t about what is who is right or wrong / innocent or guilty - it is about who knows the legal process best to get you off the case. There is no such thing as justice anymore and that was an expensive lesson learn. I’m so glad I move out of New York State. I do have to say the people that work in the offices behind the glass windows. They were very helpful and kind. Especially, if you catch them first thing in the morning. If basic court room education was taught in high schools, people would be more prepared. It is an unfair system for those that don’t have legal representation. What the court room fails to see is that these are real people’s lives and...

First, this has been the worst experience in my life. I had to go to Civil Court in Queens. My nightmare started May 7,2018.The first time, I had to file papers for a name change .The woman ask me have I ever claim bankruptcy before . I told her forty years ago. She said I had to go to Bankruptcy Court, in Brooklyn.I went to Bankruptcy Court, they told me they don't keep records past twenty years. I felt they should have known this about the courts records how long they are stored. I came back to the court house and presented her with the paper stating that they have no record of me. Now looking at my papers, the papers needed to be amended by the judge because the name was printed wrong. This was at the beginning of July.They said I had to wait for another couple of weeks due to the holiday.At this point I was outrage with them.But I still had to come back to retrieve the court papers for my name change.

Second, the staff was nasty. One woman stated because I told her that she always inconvenience people.Having them run around for nothing. She told me she was not going to wait on me and she didn't. I could have never did that at my job, or with any customers. Now she works for the city. How do people allow this to go on in the work place? Now after all of the inconvenience she put me through she still wouldn't stop harassing me. Now, she has her co-worker waiting on me. She wants me to send in a form to Bankruptcy Court. Just to cost me more money. Because she has the paper from Bankruptcy Court, in her hand stating I have no case.I believe that if more people would write a review on how they were treated by the court system maybe things could...

I wish I could give these folks 0 stars, because it's been absolutely ridiculous.

My sibling sent me a photo of a jury summons I got back in early 2023. It was late and for my old address. I emailed the court in July and informed them I moved out of state in 2020. They asked me to fill out a questionnaire and provide proof of address. Okay, sure I sent copy of a utility bill. This was 3 days of emailing back and forth. I told them to not summons me anymore because I'm in another state and to leave me alone because I was weeks away from giving birth and stressed out.

They then mail a NOTICE OF DELIQUESCE to the same old address in January 2024 for not being compliant. It's my mom's place. I emailed them a copy of my lease and said to not reach out again.

Btw I've sent beefy emails with all they needed describing the situation.

Now it's January 2025, and they're sending a notice of being fined or imprisoned for not complying for 2 summons in 2024???? I never got letters, at least don't think my mom did. AND they have proof of my change of address. They gave me 20 days to reply, don't even have a voicemail box available when you call.

Now here I am trying to contact these fools while taking care of 2 babies under 18 months with threats of fines or imprisonment... My question is when the heck was I not compliant? These folks are disgusting putting unnecessary drama and stress on a pregnant women and new mom. All for what??? When they have all the proof they asked for in regards to a change in address. And they still keep summoning me. I just can't believe it. I just gave birth 2 months ago y'all really gonna try to take me from my babies that need...