Rights Group Accuses City of Running Secret Court

A civil rights group has sued New York City, saying it holds thousands of secret hearings for suspected transit rule violators each year.
    
The New York Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court. The city did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
    
The lawsuit said the hearings by the city Adjudication Bureau should be open to the public. It says they reveal important information about police activity in the transit system.
    
New York Transit Authority rules prohibit -- among other things -- fare evasion, public intoxication, unreasonable noise and obstructing pedestrian traffic.
    
Officers can either issue a summons or send the matter on to criminal court.
    
The suit was filed Wednesday.