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: Richard TEVAULT, Petitioner, v. Glenn S. GOORD, as Commissioner of Correctional Services, 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.
Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding challenging a determination finding him guilty of violent conduct, fighting and failure to report an illness. We now confirm.
The determination of guilt is supported by substantial evidence in the form of the misbehavior report, testimony adduced at the hearing and confidential information considered by the Hearing Officer in camera (see Matter of Plowden v. Bunn, 38 A.D.3d 1107, 1107-1108, 830 N.Y.S.2d 922 [2007] ). Contrary to petitioner's assertion, the fact that the incident was unwitnessed does not mandate annulment inasmuch as the evidence in this case, together with reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, formed an adequate basis for the determination (see Matter of Gourdine v. Goord, 18 A.D.3d 1045, 1045-1046, 795 N.Y.S.2d 772 [2005] ). As for the propriety of the confidential information, we find that it was sufficiently detailed and probative such that the Hearing Officer was able to independently assess its reliability and credibility (see Matter of Catlin v. Gouverneur Correctional Facility, 38 A.D.3d 1025, 1026, 832 N.Y.S.2d 309 [2007] ). Petitioner's remaining contentions have been examined and found to be without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.
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: September 20, 2007
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)