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: Paul MITCHELL, Petitioner, v. Michael PHILLIPS, as Hearing Officer for the New York State Department of Correctional Services, Clinton 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 disciplinary rules.
Petitioner, a prison inmate, challenges the determination finding him guilty of smuggling and violating facility correspondence procedures. The charges stemmed from an investigation conducted by a correction officer who discovered that petitioner was sending mail containing money to a third party and then having it sent on to another inmate. Petitioner's claim that the misbehavior report erroneously stated the wrong date is without merit. Because the misbehavior report contained adequate detail to provide petitioner with notice of the charge against him, we conclude that the minor date discrepancy was a harmless technical defect (see, Matter of Alvarado v. Goord, 252 A.D.2d 650, 675 N.Y.S.2d 220). Finally, the misbehavior report, documentary evidence and hearing testimony, combined with the inferences that can be drawn therefrom (see, Matter of Phillips v. Goord, 252 A.D.2d 642, 675 N.Y.S.2d 200), provide substantial evidence of petitioner's guilt (see, Matter of Rivera v. Coombe, 231 A.D.2d 790, 647 N.Y.S.2d 128).
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.
MEMORANDUM DECISION.
Thank you for your feedback!
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: January 06, 2000
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)