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IN RE: Reginald BROWER, Appellant, v. George ALEXANDER, as Chair of the New York State Division of Parole, Respondent.
Appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court (Cahill, J.), entered March 12, 2008 in Albany County, which dismissed petitioner's application, in a proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78, to review a determination of the Board of Parole denying petitioner's request for parole release.
In 1996, petitioner was convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree and assault in the second degree. He was sentenced as a second violent felony offender to consecutive prison terms of 8 1/313 to life on the criminal possession charge and 3 1/212 to 7 years on the assault charge. In April 2007, he made his first appearance before the Board of Parole. The Board denied his request for parole release and ordered him held for an additional 24 months. When he did not receive a decision on his administrative appeal, he commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding. Following joinder of issue, Supreme Court dismissed the petition and this appeal ensued.
We affirm. “Parole determinations are not subject to further judicial review if they are made in accordance with the statutory requirements of Executive Law § 259-i” (Matter of Pulliam v. Dennison, 38 A.D.3d 963, 963, 832 N.Y.S.2d 304 [2007] [citations omitted] ). The record in the case at hand reveals that the Board considered the appropriate statutory factors, including the seriousness of petitioner's crimes, his criminal history, prison disciplinary record, program accomplishments and postrelease plans (see Matter of Mojica v. Travis, 34 A.D.3d 1155, 1156, 824 N.Y.S.2d 497 [2006] ). The Board was not required to specifically articulate each factor considered in making its decision nor to accord each factor equal weight (see Matter of Vasquez v. Dennison, 28 A.D.3d 908, 909, 812 N.Y.S.2d 190 [2006]; Matter of Zhang v. Travis, 10 A.D.3d 828, 829, 782 N.Y.S.2d 156 [2004] ). Contrary to petitioner's claim, the Board did not base its decision upon erroneous information. Notably, the Board was permitted to consider all the circumstances surrounding petitioner's crimes, including conduct for which he was not convicted, as this was not the sole basis for its decision (see Matter of Nunez v. Dennison, 51 A.D.3d 1240, 1241, 857 N.Y.S.2d 810 [2008] ). In sum, inasmuch as the Board's decision does not exhibit “ ‘irrationality bordering upon impropriety’ ” (Matter of Silmon v. Travis, 95 N.Y.2d 470, 476, 718 N.Y.S.2d 704, 741 N.E.2d 501 [2000], quoting Matter of Russo v. New York State Bd. of Parole, 50 N.Y.2d 69, 77, 427 N.Y.S.2d 982, 405 N.E.2d 225 [1980] ), we find no reason to disturb it.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs.
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Decided: December 04, 2008
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York.
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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.
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