To Lawyer or Not to Lawyer? Illegal Apartment

[Shain Ismailovski]

One of my clients gave me a call and let me know he had just received a court summons for illegally renting an apartment. The property is a legal two family, but the bottom unit has a basement space with a full kitchen, it's own entrance etc that was being rented out essentially making it a 3 family. 

He wanted to know whether he should get an attorney and dispute the charges or simply accept any fee the courts give him which could be a few thousand dollars.

I'm not an attorney, but suggested he consult with one anyway to see what his best options are. Curious to know what some one else would do in this situation?