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PETITIONER-INMATE WAS DENIED DUE PROCEES WHEN HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO VIEW A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE MISBEHAVIOR CHARGE; NEW HEARING ORDERED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, annulling the petitioner-inmate’s misbehavior determination, held that the petitioner was denied due process by not being given the opportunity to see the video of the incident:

“[A]n [incarcerated individual] ‘should be allowed to call witnesses and present documentary evidence in his [or her] defense when permitting him [or her] to do so will not be unduly hazardous to institutional safety or correctional goals'” … . The videotaped incident occurred while petitioner was incarcerated at a different facility. The Hearing Officer informed petitioner that, due to the format of the video, it could not be played in the hearing room and could only be played on equipment located in a secure area of the facility from which petitioner was barred entry. The Hearing Officer stated that he had viewed the video in the secure area, and he described what he believed the video depicted. Petitioner objected, arguing that he was being prevented from providing exculpatory testimony as to what occurred in the video. The Hearing Officer denied the objection, stating that ‘the video speaks for itself,’ and the record reflects that he relied, in part, on the video in reaching the determination of guilt. Contrary to respondent’s contention, the explanation that the only video equipment capable of playing the video was in a secure area, without any apparent attempt to either move the equipment or find other equipment capable of playing the video for petitioner, did not articulate institutional safety or correctional goals sufficient to justify denying petitioner’s right to reply to evidence against him … .. Similarly, the fact that petitioner may have seen the video at his former facility during a prior hearing on these charges before a different Hearing Officer, a hearing that resulted in a determination that was administratively reversed, does not excuse the denial of petitioner’s right to view the video during the new hearing and offer exculpatory testimony as to its contents … .

As to the remedy, we conclude that a new hearing, not expungement, is appropriate. Matter of Proctor v Annucci, 2022 NY Slip Op 03298, Third Dept 5-18-22

Practice Point: Prison inmates charged with misbehavior have due process rights. Here the petitioner-inmate was entitled to see the video which allegedly depicted the charged misbehavior. The determination was annulled and a new hearing ordered.

 

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DESPITE THE APPARENT FAILURE TO PRESERVE A VIDEO OF A MEETING DURING WHICH PETITIONER ALLEGEDLY PLANNED A DEMONSTRATION AT THE PRISON, THE DETERMINATION FINDING PETITIONER GUILTY OF PLANNING THE DEMONSTRATION WAS CONFIRMED; THE DISSENT ARGUED PETITIONER WAS DEPRIVED OF DUE PROCESS BY THE FAILURE TO TURN OVER THE VIDEO, WHICH HAD BEEN REVIEWED BY THE OFFICER WHO PREPARED THE MISBEHAVIOR REPORT (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department confirmed the determination finding petitioner-inmate guilty of urging others to participate in a demonstration at the prison. There was a video of the meeting where the demonstration was allegedly planned. An officer who witnessed the meeting and testified about it apparently viewed the video. Petitioner made timely requests for the video, but it was never provided. The dissent argued the failure to retain and provide the video of the alleged meeting required that the determination be annulled:

From the dissent:

The sergeant and the correction officer have described two distinctly different meetings, one involving 12 people, the other 30 to 40 … . This discrepancy heightens the relevance of the … video, as does the fact that the sergeant viewed the video and the Hearing Officer was uncertain whether that viewing occurred before or after the undefined retention period expired. Complicating matters, the Hearing Officer noted the three-week delay between the … meeting and issuance and service of the misbehavior report on petitioner.

… In a situation such as this, where there is an extended delay in issuing a misbehavior report and the author of that report has in fact reviewed a video, it is incumbent upon the correctional facility to preserve that evidence … . The failure to do so here compromised petitioner’s due process right to a fair evidentiary hearing … . That is particularly so in view of the sergeant’s affirmative testimony as to what ostensibly happened in the E-yard on May 29, 2020. It is further evident that the Hearing Officer should have, but failed to, inquire further as to the existence of the video or the circumstances of its deletion … Matter of Headley v Annucci, 2022 NY Slip Op 03166, Third Dept 5-12-22

Practice Point: Inmates subjected to disciplinary actions by prison authorities have due process rights. Here the dissent argued that the failure to preserve and provide a video of the meeting at which petitioner-inmate allegedly planned a prison demonstration deprived him of his due process rights. The dissenter would have annulled the determination on that ground.

 

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THE EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT THE DETERMINATION PETITIONER-INMATE WAS GUILTY OF “CREATING A DISTURBANCE” (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, annulling the disciplinary determination, held the evidence did not demonstrate petitioner-inmate was guilty of “creating a disturbance:”

Pursuant to the relevant regulations, an incarcerated individual “shall not engage in conduct which disturbs the order of any part of the facility” (7 NYCRR 270.2 [B] [5] [iv]). Such disruptive conduct includes, as relevant here, “loud talking in a mess hall, program area or corridor” (7 NYCRR 270.0 [B] [5] [iv]). The misbehavior report, which was the sole evidence relied upon by the Hearing Officer, provided, in relevant part, that petitioner was observed “arguing” with another incarcerated individual “in the dorm hallway . . ., which drew the attention of the [incarcerated individuals] nearby.” The misbehavior report does not reflect that petitioner was screaming … or otherwise speaking in a loud or boisterous manner … , nor does it establish that petitioner’s behavior triggered an affirmative response on the part of the incarcerated individuals observing the alleged argument … . Similarly, petitioner was found not guilty of fighting, and there were no other established disciplinary infractions that would give rise to a reasonable inference that his conduct was disruptive … . In short, as the misbehavior report fails to identify the manner in which petitioner’s conduct disturbed the order of the facility, we cannot say that respondent’s determination is supported by substantial evidence … . Matter of Hogan v Thompson, 2022 NY Slip Op 02470, Third Dept 4-14-22

 

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ALTHOUGH THE DETERMINATION THE INMATE CURSED AT AND THREATENED A CORRECTION OFFICER WAS CONFIRMED, THE CONCURRENCE NOTED THE OFFICER WAS NOT WEARING A BODY CAMERA, DESPITE THE PILOT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED IN 2018 (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department confirmed the finding that petitioner cursed at and threatened a correction officer. The concurrence noted that a body camera would have would provided crucial evidence in a case like this:

Although we can accept the explanation here that the correction officer had not been assigned a body camera on the day of the incident, the perplexing question that remains is why not? A recording of actual events would certainly assist in resolving credibility disputes such as the one at hand, either exonerating or condemning the actions of the facility’s employees … . We are mindful that the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has taken steps since 2018 to implement a body camera pilot program and that legislation has been introduced in the State Assembly and Senate to amend the Correction Law to require respondent to establish a “[b]ody camera for correction officers pilot program” at maximum security facilities … . As is evident from this case, it appears that a comprehensive body camera program has yet to be established. Matter of Pine v Annucci, 2021 NY Slip Op 06903, Third Dept 12-9-21

 

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BECAUSE THE DRUG TESTING WAS FLAWED, THE SUBSTANCE PETITIONER WAS SMOKING WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AS MARIHUANA, AND THEREFORE WAS NOT PROVEN TO BE CONTRABAND; BOTH THE POSSESSION OF DRUGS DETERMINATION AND THE POSSESSION OF CONTRABAND DETERMINATION WERE NOT SUPPORTED BY SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department determined the possession of contraband determination was not supported by substantial evidence. Petitioner was seen smoking a cigarette. When he was asked what was in the cigarette, he answered “weed.” A test was performed which identified the substance as marihuana and petitioner was charged with possession of drugs and possession of contraband. The drug possession determination was dismissed when an inconsistency in the drug testing instructions was discovered. But the contraband possession determination remained and the punishment was unchanged:

Substantial evidence does not support the determination of guilt and, therefore, we annul. “[T]he prohibition of contraband hinges on whether or not the item is authorized” … . In light of the unreliable drug test and the absence of any hearing testimony identifying the substance at issue or attesting to petitioner’s alleged admission, the substance was not adequately identified … . Accordingly, “substantial evidence does not support the determination that the substance was unauthorized and, therefore, contraband” … . Matter of Razor v Venettozzi, 2021 NY Slip Op 06740, Third Dept 12-2-21

 

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THE RECORD DOES NOT DEMONSTRATE THE HEARING OFFICER MADE REASONABLE EFFORTS TO SECURE THE TESTIMONY OF AN EYEWITNESS TO THE FIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE MISBEHAVIOR REPORT CHARGING THE PETITIONER; NEW HEARING ORDERED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, annulling the determination and ordering a new hearing, determined the hearing officer did not make reasonable efforts to have a witness to the fight, Johnson, testify at petitioner’s misbehavior hearing. Petitioner requested the witness’s testimony as part of his defense:

The record reflects that, although Johnson agreed to testify at the hearing, the Hearing Officer denied Johnson as a witness stating, without any elaboration, that Johnson was unavailable. Although the Hearing Officer indicated that he made four attempts to procure Johnson as a witness, the record does not indicate, other than on that particular day and time, when those attempts were made by the Hearing Officer or the nature thereof. Furthermore, the Hearing Officer did not complete a witness denial form setting forth any further detail regarding his attempts to contact Johnson or the reasons for Johnson’s unavailability. Under these circumstances, we find that the record does not sufficiently reflect whether reasonable and diligent efforts were made by the Hearing Officer to secure Johnson as a witness … . Because the Hearing Officer articulated a good-faith reason for denying the witness, we find that petitioner’s regulatory right to call a witness was violated and, therefore, remit the matter for a new hearing … . Matter of Douglas v Annucci, 2021 NY Slip Op 06020, Third Dept 11-4-21

 

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THE NOTICE OF APPEAL WAS TIMELY SERVED BUT WAS NOT TIMELY FILED WITH THE CLERK OF THE COURT; THE 3RD DEPARTMENT DISMISSED THE APPEAL; THE APPELLATE COURT HAS THE DISCRETION TO ALLOW A LATE FILING; MATTER REMITTED (CT APP).

The Court of Appeals, reversing the Appellate Division, determined that, although the pro se inmate-petitioner did not timely file the notice of appeal, the notice was timely served and the Third Department could have exercised discretion to allow a late filing. The matter was remitted because the Third Department’s decision was silent about the reasons for dismissing the appeal:

… [P]etitioner argues that the Appellate Division should have applied a pro se inmate “mailbox rule” to deem the notice of appeal timely filed upon delivery to prison authorities for forwarding to the appropriate court.

CPLR 5515 (1) provides that an appeal is taken when, in addition to being duly served, the notice of appeal is “fil[ed] . . . in the office where the judgment or order of the court of original instance is entered.” The CPLR further clarifies that “papers required to be filed shall be filed with the clerk of the court in which the action is triable” (CPLR 2102 [a]). Thus, by its express terms, the CPLR indicates that filing occurs when the clerk’s office receives the notice of appeal. Indeed, “filing” has long been understood to occur only upon actual receipt by the appropriate court clerk … . A “mailbox rule” for filing would also contravene the clear distinctions between filing and service drawn by the legislature inasmuch as the CPLR directs that, unlike filing, “service by mail shall be complete upon mailing” (CPLR 2103 [b] [2]). .. * * *

… [T]he legislature has given courts the authority to excuse untimely filing under certain circumstances. CPLR 5520 provides that, “[i]f an appellant either serves or files a timely notice of appeal . . . , but neglects through mistake or excusable neglect to do another required act within the time limited, the court from or to which the appeal is taken . . . may grant an extension of time for curing the omission” (CPLR 5520 [a]). Matter of Miller v Annucci, 2021 NY Slip Op 04954, CtApp 9-9-21

 

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BEFORE PETITIONER INMATE’S ARTICLE 78 PETITION WAS CONSIDERED RESPONDENT VOLUNTARILY REVERSED THE GUILTY FINDINGS ON THE PRISON DISCIPLINARY VIOLATIONS; PETITIONER WAS NOT ENTITLED TO ATTORNEY’S FEES PURSUANT TO THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT UNDER THE “CATALYST THEORY” (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department determined petitioner inmate was not entitled to attorney’s fees as a prevailing party pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act [EAJA] (CPLR Article 86). Petitioner contested guilty findings on several prison disciplinary violations and brought an Article 78 proceeding. Before the Article 78 petition was considered the respondent reversed the disposition and expunged it from petitioner’s prison record. Petitioner then sought attorney’s fees as the prevailing party:

Petitioner contends that he is entitled to counsel fees because he prevailed in the litigation under the “catalyst theory.” [The catalyst theory posits that a petitioner is a prevailing party if the desired result is achieved because the proceeding brought about the voluntary change in the respondent’s conduct … .] * * *

Although this Court has not decided whether it will adopt the catalyst theory in EAJA cases, when this Court has been asked to adopt the catalyst theory in other counsel fee award cases, it has declined to do so as the “United States Supreme Court has clearly held that a voluntary resolution of a matter lacks the necessary judicial imprimatur to warrant an award of [counsel] fees” … . … [T]he Court of Appeals specifically agreed … . The same reasoning applies here. The change in the legal relationship was accomplished prior to answering the petition, was based on the voluntary actions of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and was “not enforced by a consent decree or judgment of Supreme Court” … . Matter of Clarke v Annucci, 2021 NY Slip Op 00473, Third Dept 1-28-21

 

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MISBEHAVIOR CHARGES BASED UPON ITEMS ALLEGEDLY FOUND DURING A SEARCH OF PETITIONER’S CELL CONDUCTED WHEN THE PETITIONER WAS NOT PRESENT ANNULLED AND EXPUNGED (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department annulled the findings of guilt on possessing a weapon and possessing an altered item because defendant was not present during all of the search of his cell before the weapon was discovered:

… [W]ith respect to the charges of possessing a weapon and possessing an altered item, the Attorney General concedes, and we agree, that the findings of guilt as to those charges should be annulled and all references thereto expunged from petitioner’s institutional record on the ground that petitioner was not present during all of the search of the cell before the weapon was discovered. Matter of Sylvester v Annucci, 2020 NY Slip Op 05109, Third Dept 9-24-20

 

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SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTED THE MISBEHAVIOR REPORT ALLEGING THE INMATE WAS ISSUED A RAZOR FOR SHAVING BUT THE ROUTINE “RAZOR CHECK” INDICATED THE RAZOR WAS MISSING; THE INMATE CLAIMED HE WAS NEVER ISSUED A REPLACEMENT AND UNSUCCESSFULLY SOUGHT TO PRESENT WITNESSES TO DEMONSTRATE THE RAZOR CHECK SYSTEM IS NOT RELIABLE; THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE DISSENT (CT APP).

The Court of Appeals, over an extensive dissent, determined the hearing officer’s finding the inmate was guilty of the infraction charged in the misbehavior report was supported by substantial evidence. The dissent fleshes out the facts. The misbehavior report alleged the inmate had been issued a razor (for shaving) but no razor was found in a routine “razor check”–raising the possibility that the missing razor could be used to make a weapon. The inmate claimed he had not been issued a replacement razor and sought to present  witnesses to demonstrate the razor security system was unreliable (the witness-request was denied):

Substantial evidence supported the administrative determination because there was “a rational basis for the conclusion adopted by the agency” … . The record proof, including the inmate misbehavior report, “razor check records,”… and contraband receipt, was adequate to permit a reasonable person to conclude that petitioner was guilty of the charged infraction. In reaching the opposite conclusion, the dissent exceeds the judicial function by impermissibly crediting testimony rejected by the agency and re-weighing the record evidence in petitioner’s favor.

The hearing officer did not violate petitioner’s constitutional right to call witnesses, as “implemented by the prison regulations in this State” … . The hearing officer explained that the requested witnesses’ testimony was not material and, in the circumstances presented, that conclusion was justified. Petitioner’s other arguments are unpersuasive … . Matter of Zielinski v Venettozzi, 2020 NY Slip Op 04905, CtApp 9-15-20

 

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