N.Y. Uniform District Court Act Law § 2002

§ 2002. Arraignment by mail.\n Notwithstanding any provision of the criminal procedure law, in any\ncriminal proceeding in which the district court has jurisdiction, and\nwhere the defendant is not charged with a felony, the court may in its\ndiscretion permit a defendant to file an appearance by mail instead of\nappearing in person or by counsel. In any such case the court shall\ninform him of the charge or charges against him, furnish him with a copy\nof the accusatory instrument and inform him of his rights pursuant to\nsection 170.10 of the criminal procedure law. Such proceeding shall\nthereafter continue in the manner otherwise provided by law.\n