IN RE: THE APPLICATION FOR DISCHARGE (2017)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

It is hereby ORDERED that the order insofar as appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law without costs and that part of the motion seeking a change of venue is granted.

Memorandum:  In this annual review proceeding pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law § 10.09, petitioner appeals from an order that, inter alia, denied that part of his motion seeking a change of venue to New York County for the convenience of witnesses (see generally Matter of Tyrone D. v State of New York, 24 NY3d 661, 666).  Petitioner was previously determined to be a dangerous sex offender requiring civil confinement and confined to a secure treatment facility (see § 10.01 et seq.).  He is currently confined at the Central New York Psychiatric Center in Oneida County.  We now grant that part of the motion seeking a change of venue.

The court may change the venue of an annual review proceeding

“ ‘to any county for good cause, which may include considerations relating to the convenience of the parties or witnesses or the condition of the [confined sex offender]’ “ (Tyrone D., 24 NY3d at 666, quoting Mental Hygiene Law § 10.08[e] ).  We agree with petitioner that Supreme Court improvidently exercised its discretion in denying his motion inasmuch as the proposed testimony of his mother, who lives in New York County, is “relevant to the issue of whether petitioner remained a dangerous sex offender in need of confinement” (id. at 667;  see § 10.09[h] ).  Although respondent correctly notes that the subjects of the mother's proposed testimony also may be the subjects of expert testimony, “[t]he pertinent question is whether a witness—expert or lay—has material and relevant evidence to offer on the issues to be resolved” (Matter of State of New York v. Enrique D., 22 NY3d 941, 944).  We agree with petitioner that his mother's proposed testimony concerning his stated goals and priorities, likely living arrangements, and the availability and extent of a familial support system in the event of release, is material and relevant to the issue whether he “is likely to be a danger to others and to commit sex offenses if not confined to a secure treatment facility” (§ 10.03[e];  see Matter of Vega v. State of New York, 140 AD3d 1608, 1609).  We therefore conclude that petitioner established the requisite good cause for a change of venue (see § 10.08[e] ).

Frances E. Cafarell

Clerk of the Court