BUFFALO HOUSING COURT

EXPERIENCED HOUSING COURT LAWYER BUFFALO, NY & WNY Jeri N Wright - Experienced Housing Court Lawyer Focusing On Buffalo Housing Court Proceedings

Buffalo Housing Court Code Violations & Penalties

Buffalo Housing Court presides over criminal and civil cases of alleged Code Violations.

All violations are taken very seriously and Housing Court Penalties can be severe:
City Violation maximum penalty is 15 days in jail and a $1,500 fine per violation, per day (plus the costs of any City of Buffalo remedial actions)
County Violation maximum penalty is 15 days in jail and a fine of $500 per violation, per day

Your Housing Court Case

If you have been served with a Summons to appear in the Buffalo Housing Court, you are likely being charged with violating one or more of:

• New York Property Maintenance Code
• New York Residential Code
• Buffalo City Code
• Erie County Sanitary Code
• New York Public Health Law

You will first be scheduled for an Arraignment to receive a copy of the charges and to enter a plea:
- If you plead "not guilty" your case is scheduled for a trial.
- If you plead "guilty", or are found guilty after trial, the court will adjourn to a future sentencing date.

Resolving Your Housing Court Case

The issues to be resolved are whether you were an "owner", and whether the violations existed on the date listed on the charges.

The New York State Property Maintenance Code legal definition of a property "owner" includes not only title owners, but also those "otherwise having control of the property."

In Housing Court, this could include property managers, tenants, realtors, mortgage holders, or anyone else having control over the property on a specific date.

Your Buffalo Housing Court Attorney

Jeri can help you navigate your way through the legal process to ensure the remedies chosen by the Court are fair and reasonable.

In order to protect the public interest, the Court may sign:

• An Order to Vacate
• A Receivership
• An Order for Access
• or, an Order for Demolition

It is critical that you make sure your voice is heard before the Court imposes a penalty or a remedy in your case. There are many factors that Jeri can help you explain to the Judge as mitigating circumstances.

Do You Have An Issue To Resolve In The Buffalo Housing Court?
Get An Experienced Housing Court Lawyer On Your Side - Contact Jeri N Wright