“Substantial Evidence” Standard of Court Review Explained

The Second Department explained the “substantial evidence” standard of court review of an administrative agency’s determination after a disciplinary hearing:

Substantial evidence “is related to the charge or controversy and involves a weighing of the quality and quantity of the proof”; the term “means such relevant proof as a reasonable mind may accept as adequate to support a conclusion or ultimate fact” … . “Where there is conflicting evidence or different inferences may be drawn from the evidence, the duty of weighing the evidence and making the choice rests solely upon the [administrative agency]. The courts may not weigh the evidence or reject the choice made by [such agency] where the evidence is conflicting and room for choice exists'” … . Matter of Sullivan v County of Rockland, 2014 NY Slip Op 06593, 2nd Dept 10-1-14