§ 6-12 Evidence.
RCNY § 6-12
(a)Burden of Proof. The Petitioner has the burden of proving the factual allegations contained in the summons by a preponderance of the evidence. The Respondent has the burden of proving an affirmative defense, if any, by a preponderance of the evidence.
(b)Admissibility of Summons. If the summons is sworn to under oath or affirmed under penalty of perjury, the summons will be admitted as prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The summons may include the report of the inspector, public health sanitarian or other person who conducted the inspection or investigation that resulted in the summons. When such report is served with the summons, such report will also be prima facie evidence of the factual allegations contained in the report.
(c)Admissibility of Evidence. Relevant and reliable evidence may be admitted without regard to technical or formal rules or laws of evidence applicable in the courts of the State of New York. Irrelevant, immaterial, unreliable or unduly repetitious evidence will be excluded. Immaterial or irrelevant parts of an admissible document must be segregated and excluded to the extent practicable.
(1)Admissibility of Immigration Status. A party, representative or attorney shall not offer information concerning a person's actual or perceived immigration status unless and until the Hearing Officer reviews such information privately and determines that such information is relevant and not introduced solely to subject that person to harassment, intimidation, physical danger, or other harms in connection with the person's immigration status. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision, a person may voluntarily introduce or authorize the introduction of information about his or her own immigration status.
(2)Any party, representative or attorney who offers information concerning the immigration status of another person not in compliance with paragraph one of this subdivision may be subject to sanctions pursuant to 48 RCNY § 6-25 and such information may be struck from the record.
(d)Types of Evidence. Evidence at a hearing may include, but is not limited to, witness testimony, documents and objects. Documents may include, but are not limited to, affidavits or affirmations, business records or government records, photographs and other documents.
(e)Official Notice. Official notice may be taken of all facts of which judicial notice may be taken and other facts within the specialized knowledge and experience of the Tribunal or the Hearing Officer. Opportunity to disprove such noticed fact will be granted to any party making a timely motion.
(f)Objections. Objections to evidence must be timely and must briefly state the grounds relied upon. Rulings on all objections must appear on the record. (Amended City Record 6/1/2015, eff. 7/1/2015; amended City Record 7/8/2016, eff. 8/7/2016; amended City Record 4/23/2021, eff. 5/23/2021)
