N.Y. Family Court Act § 531: Hearing

§ 531. Hearing. The trial shall be by the court without a jury. The

mother or the alleged father shall be competent to testify but the

respondent shall not be compelled to testify. If the mother is married

both she and her husband may testify to nonaccess. If the respondent

shall offer testimony of access by others at or about the time charged

in the complaint, such testimony shall not be competent or admissible in

evidence except when corroborated by other facts and circumstances

tending to prove such access. The court may exclude the general public

from the room where the proceedings are heard and may admit only persons

directly interested in the case, including officers of the court and

witnesses.