Good news - it looks like you can just plead by mail: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/criminal/specialprojects.shtml#pleabymail http://www.courts.stat

Good news - it looks like you can just plead by mail: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/criminal/specialprojects.shtml#pleabymail http://www.courts.state.ny.us/courts/nyc/criminal/specialpro... Effective July 1, 2004 individuals who receive a Criminal Court Summons citing a violation of Section 10-125 (2b) of the N.Y.C. Administrative Code- “Consumption of Alcohol on Streets Prohibited” ( also known as “Open Container Violation” or “Consumption of Alcohol in Public”) are eligible to plead guilty and pay a $25 fine by mail. This program is available to persons charged with this petty offense only, and only if no other summonses are issued to the individual at the same time. In order to plead guilty by mail you must send the following: the plea form, completed and signed the summons you received check or money order for $25 made payable to NYC Criminal Court (DO NOT SEND CASH) with the summons number written on the payment The above items must be mailed within 10 days of the date that the summons was issued, to: N.Y.C. Criminal Court P.O. Box 555 New York, NY 10013-0555 If you plead guilty by mail, you do not need to appear in Court.