{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "fca", "section": "320.1", "citation": "FCA § 320.1", "heading": "The initial appearance; definition", "text": ["§ 320.1. The initial appearance; definition. When used in this article \"initial appearance\" means the proceeding on the date the respondent first appears before the court after a petition has been filed and any adjournments thereof, for the purposes specified in section 320.4."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/FCT/320.1", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "The **initial appearance** is the first date the respondent appears after the petition is filed (Family Court's arraignment).", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/fca/320.1", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}