Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: Jeffery HAMM, Petitioner, v. SUPERINTENDENT OF MOHAWK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, Respondent.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
When he was unable to produce his state identification card for a correction officer, petitioner was pat frisked and found to be in possession of one half of a pill which he claimed was a muscle relaxer. Thereafter, petitioner's cell was searched and a correction officer recovered an outdated prescription packet, as well as an empty soda can filled with ashes and cigarette butts. Petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with failing to carry his state identification card, possessing outdated medication and failing to smoke in designated areas. He was found guilty of these charges following a tier II disciplinary hearing and the determination was affirmed on administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
Initially, petitioner's plea of guilty to the charge of failing to carry his state identification card precludes him from challenging the sufficiency of the evidence upon which it is based (see Matter of Lopez v. Goord, 20 A.D.3d 836, 836, 798 N.Y.S.2d 700 [2005]; Matter of Harrison v. Selsky, 2 A.D.3d 1232, 1233, 768 N.Y.S.2d 856 [2003] ). As for the other charges, the misbehavior report, together with the testimony of the correction officer who prepared it, constitute substantial evidence supporting the determination of guilt (see Matter of Carrington v. Goord, 20 A.D.3d 835, 835, 798 N.Y.S.2d 700 [2005]; Matter of Valentine v. Goord, 18 A.D.3d 997, 998, 794 N.Y.S.2d 692 [2005], lv. dismissed 5 N.Y.3d 816, 803 N.Y.S.2d 24, 836 N.E.2d 1146 [2005] ). Petitioner's remaining claims are not preserved for our review as they were not raised at the hearing or on administrative review (see Matter of Quezada v. Goord, 19 A.D.3d 964, 965, 797 N.Y.S.2d 323 [2005] ).
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: December 29, 2005
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)