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Marriage Between a Half-Uncle and Half-Niece Is Not Prohibited by Domestic Relations Law 5 (3)

The Court of Appeals, in answering a certified question from the Second Circuit, determined that a marriage between a half-uncle and half-niece is not incestuous under Domestic Relations Law 5 (3).  The husband is the half-brother of the petitioner-wife's mother.  Petitioner is a citizen of Vietnam and the husband is a naturalized American citizen.  An immigration judge had declared the marriage void and ordered petitioner removed from the country. Judge Smith, in one of two concurring opinions, wrote:

Section 5 of the Domestic Relations Law reads in full:

“A marriage is incestuous and void whether the relatives are legitimate or illegitimate between either:

“1. An ancestor and a descendant;

“2. A brother and sister of either the whole or the half blood;

“3. An uncle and niece or an aunt or nephew.

“If a marriage prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this section be solemnized it shall be void, and the parties thereto shall each be fined not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars and may, in the discretion of the court in addition to said fine, be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months. Any person who shall knowingly and wilfully solemnize such marriage, or procure or aid in the solemnization of the same, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined or imprisoned in like manner.”

We must decide whether subdivision 3 of this statute should be read to include a half-uncle and half-niece (or half-aunt and half-nephew). There is something to be said on both sides of this question.  * * *

Domestic Relations Law § 5 is in part a criminal statute: it says that the participants in a prohibited marriage may be fined, and may be imprisoned for up to six months. Penal Law § 255.25, using language very similar to that of Domestic Relations Law § 5 (“ancestor, descendant, brother or sister of either the whole or half blood, uncle, aunt, nephew or niece”), makes entry into a prohibited marriage a class E felony. Where a criminal statute is ambiguous, courts will normally prefer the more lenient interpretation, and the courts of several other states have followed that rule in interpreting their criminal laws not to prohibit relationships between uncles and nieces, or aunts and nephews, of the half blood … .  * * *

We are not geneticists, and the record and the briefs in this case do not contain any scientific analysis; but neither party disputes the intuitively correct-seeming conclusion that the genetic risk in a half-uncle, half-niece relationship is half what it would be if the parties were related by the full blood. Indeed, both parties acknowledged at oral argument that the risk in a half-uncle/half-niece marriage is comparable to the risk in a marriage of first cousins. First cousins are allowed to marry in New York, and I conclude that it was not the Legislature's purpose to avert the similar, relatively small, genetic risk inherent in relationships like this one.  Nguyen v Holder, 2014 NY Slip Op 07290, CtApp 10-28-14

 

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Where Jail Time Is Contemplated as Punishment for Disobeying an Order of Protection, the Standard of Proof for Willful Contempt is “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt”

The Third Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Lahtinen, determined that the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard applied in a contempt proceeding where jail time was imposed as a punishment for disobeying an order of protection.  The court held the proof met the standard, but sentenced the respondent to time-served (11 days):

Case law has not been consistent regarding the level of proof when considering an alleged willful violation of a protective order … . This inconsistency may be due in part to the statutory silence as to the quantum of proof (see Family Ct Act § 846-a [stating that the court must be satisfied by “competent proof”]), as well as the fact that, like other statutes implicating contempt, a Family Ct Act article 8 proceeding can involve civil contempt, criminal contempt or both. Criminal and civil contempt have different levels of proof as “criminal contempt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” whereas “civil contempt . . . must be proven by clear and convincing evidence” … .

Where, as here, a person who has violated an order of protection is incarcerated as a punitive remedy for a definite period — with no avenue to shorten the term by acts that extinguish the contempt — then that aspect of the Family Ct Act article 8 proceeding “is one involving criminal contempt [and] [t]he standard of proof that must be met to establish that the individual willfully violated the court’s order is beyond a reasonable doubt” … . Matter of Stuart LL v Aimee KL, 2014 NY Slip Op 07222, 3rd Dept 10-23-14

 

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Fugitive Disentitlement Doctrine Applied to Dismiss Appeal of Wife Whose Child Support Payments Were In Arrears and Who Had Moved to Nigeria

The Second Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice Roman, applied the fugitive disentitlement doctrine where the wife, whose child support payments were in arrears, had left the jurisdiction and was living in Nigeria.  The Second Department determined the criteria for fugitive disentitlement had been met and dismissed the wife's appeal on that ground:

“It has been settled for well over a century that an appellate court may dismiss the appeal of a defendant who is a fugitive from justice during the pendency of his [or her] appeal” … . The “fugitive disentitlement doctrine,” which has its origin in criminal law, is based upon the inherent power of the courts to enforce their judgments, and has long been applied to those who evade the law while simultaneously seeking its protection … . * * *

To apply the fugitive disentitlement doctrine, there must be a “connection between a defendant's fugitive status and the appellate process, sufficient to make an appellate sanction a reasonable response” … . The doctrine has been extended to the dismissal of appeals in civil cases provided there is likewise a nexus between the appellant's fugitive status and the appellate proceedings … . The nexus requirement is satisfied in civil cases “where the appellant's absence frustrates enforcement of the civil judgment” … . * * *

Applying these principles here, we find that dismissal of the appeal is warranted pursuant to the fugitive disentitlement doctrine. The record reveals that the mother deliberately removed herself from the jurisdiction of the New York courts concomitant with the filing of the October 2011 violation petition, which alleged that she had willfully failed to obey the December 2009 child support order. She thereafter failed to personally appear before the Family Court, and a bench warrant was issued to secure her return. However, the mother continued to evade the court, rendering her a fugitive … .

Additionally, there is a nexus between the mother's fugitive status and the appellate proceedings, since her fugitive status related to her failure to comply with the Family Court's prior orders and her refusal to personally appear before that court. Indeed, “by her default and absence,” the mother is “evading the very orders from which she seeks appellate relief” … . Further, the mother's absence from New York has frustrated the father's efforts to enforce the prior child support orders … . Matter of Allain v Oriola-Allain, 2014 NY Slip Op 07151, 2nd Dept 10-22-14

 

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Out-of-State Dismissal with Prejudice Barred Similar New York Action Under Doctrine of Res Judicata

The Third Department determined that an Alabama paternity proceeding brought by the mother against the respondent, which was dismissed with prejudice, barred the paternity proceeding brought by the mother in New York under the Full Faith and Credit Clause.  The court explained the “res judicata” principles:

“In New York, res judicata, or claim preclusion, bars successive litigation based upon the same transaction or series of connected transactions if: (i) there is a judgment on the merits rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, and (ii) the party against whom the doctrine is invoked was a party to the previous action [or proceeding], or in privity with a party who was” … .

Here, there is no dispute that the Alabama proceeding involved the same parties and underlying issues, i.e., paternity and child support. Additionally, under both Alabama and New York law, a dismissal “with prejudice” indeed constitutes an adjudication “on the merits”…. . Matter of Starla D v Jeremy E, 2014 NY Slip Op 07033, 3rd Dept 10-16-14

 

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Petitioner, Who Was Sentenced to Death in Federal Court, Could Not Be Declared “Civilly Dead” Pursuant to the Civil Rights Law—Paternity Petition Should Not Have Been Dismissed

The Second Department reversed Family Court’s dismissal of an inmate’s petition for a declaration of paternity.  The petitioner had been sentenced to death in federal court.  Civil Rights Law 79-a, which declares anyone sentenced to life imprisonment in state court “civilly dead,” was the basis of Family Court’s ruling.  The Second Department would not extend the reach of the statute to a death sentence in federal court:

Contrary to the Family Court’s determination, the civil death provision of Civil Rights Law § 79-a(1) does not apply to the petitioner since he was sentenced to death in federal court, rather than state court … . Moreover, although Civil Rights Law § 79-a(1) declares civilly dead any person sentenced to imprisonment for life, it contains no provision pertaining to a person subject to a sentence of death, and it is not for the courts to expand terms beyond the plain language of statutes … . Matter of Ronell W v Nancy G, 2014 NY Slip OP 06987, 2nd Dept 10-15-14

 

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Questions of Fact Raised About Fairness of Facially Valid Prenuptial Agreement

The Second Department determined questions of fact had been raised by defendant-wife about the fairness of a facially valid prenuptial agreement, primarily because of the absence of financial disclosure by the husband and the limited communication (at the time the agreement was executed) between the wife and the wife’s attorney (who had been hired by the husband). The court further determined that Supreme Court should not have denied the branches of the wife’s motion asking for pendente lite maintenance and counsel fees, which were not mentioned in, and therefore not precluded by, the prenuptial agreement:

An agreement between spouses which is fair on its face will be enforced according to its terms unless there is proof of unconscionability, or fraud, duress, overreaching, or other inequitable conduct … . “An unconscionable bargain is one which no person in his or her senses and not under delusion would make on the one hand, and no honest and fair person would accept on the other, the inequality being so strong and manifest as to shock the conscience and confound the judgment of any person of common sense” … .

Here, the plaintiff demonstrated his prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law by submitting, inter alia, the agreement, which appeared fair on its face and set forth express representations stating that, among other things, it was not a product of fraud or duress, each party had made full disclosure to the other and was represented by independent counsel, and they had fully discussed and understood its terms … .

In opposition, the defendant raised triable issues of fact with regard to, inter alia, the fairness of the agreement, the circumstances surrounding the negotiation and execution of the agreement, and the absence of any meaningful financial disclosure by the plaintiff … . McKenna v McKenna, 2014 NY Slip Op 06951, 2nd Dept 10-15-14

 

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Threat and Insults Insufficient to Establish Appellant Was Initial Aggressor

The Second Department determined that the findings that the juvenile appellant had committed acts which would have constituted assault and menacing had the appellant been an adult were against the weight of the evidence. The court determined the appellant was not the initial aggressor and the appellant had acted in self defense.  The court explained that insults can not be the basis of an “initial aggressor” finding:

The defense of justification is available where, inter alia, the actor is acting in self-defense and the actor was not the initial aggressor … . An actor is not the initial aggressor where his or her conduct consists of “mere insults as opposed to threats” … . Where this defense is raised, the presentment agency must disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt (see Penal Law §§ 25.00, 35.00; Family Ct Act § 303.3).

Here, although the evidence established that the appellant verbally threatened to “slap the glasses off [the complainant’s] face,” the complainant testified that the appellant made this threat before the situation degenerated into a physical fight. Moreover, this type of threat, in the context in which it was uttered, did not constitute the type of threat that would support the conclusion that the appellant was the initial aggressor … . Similarly, although the appellant admitted to insulting the complainant, those insults, considered either alone or in connection with the above-described threat, were not sufficient to make the appellant the initial aggressor in the altercation … .  Matter of Mondy E, 2014 NY Slip Op 06821, 2nd Dept 10-8-14

 

Acknowledgment of Paternity by Mother’s Husband Did Not Preclude Biological Father’s Petition to Be Declared the Father of the Child

The Second Department reversed Family Court, finding that the mother’s husband’s acknowledgment of paternity was not a bar to the biological father’s petition to be declared the father of the child:

The subject child was born to the mother on July 11, 2007. The mother was unmarried at the time. On February 17, 2009, the mother married nonparty Gaston R. In or around September 2011, the petitioner filed the instant petition seeking to be declared the father of the subject child. An existing acknowledgment of paternity dated February 20, 2009, named Gaston R., not the petitioner, as the father of the subject child. The mother and Gaston R. do not dispute that the petitioner is the biological father of the subject child. The Family Court dismissed the paternity petition without a hearing on the basis that the petitioner could not establish fraud as required by Family Court Act § 516 to vacate an acknowledgment of paternity. We reverse.

The Family Court erred in treating the petition as one to vacate the acknowledgment of paternity. The petition sought to declare the petitioner the father of the child (see Family Ct Act § 524). A prior acknowledgment of paternity made in accordance with Family Court Act § 516-a does not serve as an insuperable bar to a claim of paternity by one who is a stranger to the acknowledgment … . Matter of Thomas T, 2014 NY Slip Op 06834, 2nd Dept 10-8-14

 

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Elements of Civil and Criminal Contempt Explained

In affirming the denial of mother’s motion to hold father in civil and criminal contempt for failing to exercise his right to visitation, the Second Department explained the elements of each:

To find a party in civil contempt pursuant to Judiciary Law § 753, the applicant must demonstrate, by clear and convincing evidence, ” (1) that a lawful order of the court, clearly expressing an unequivocal mandate, was in effect, (2) that the order was disobeyed and the party disobeying the order had knowledge of its terms, and (3) that the movant was prejudiced by the offending conduct'” (…see Judiciary Law § 753[A]). To satisfy the prejudice element, it is sufficient to allege and prove that the contemnor’s actions were calculated to or actually did defeat, impair, impede, or prejudice the rights or remedies of a party … .

In a criminal contempt proceeding, proof of guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt … . “The purpose of criminal contempt (see Judiciary Law § 750) is to vindicate the authority of the court. No showing of prejudice to the rights of a party to the litigation is needed since the right of the private parties to the litigation is not the controlling factor'” … . “However, [a]n essential element of criminal contempt is willful disobedience. Knowingly failing to comply with a court order gives rise to an inference of willfulness which may [*2]be rebutted with evidence of good cause for noncompliance'” … . Matter of Figueroa-Rolon v Torres, 2014 NY Slip Op 06584, 2nd Dept 10-1-14

 

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Criminal Judgment May Be Given Collateral Estoppel Effect in Derivative Neglect Proceedings—Summary Judgment Appropriate in Derivative Neglect Proceedings—Out-of-Court Statements of Siblings Cross-Corroborated One Another

In a derivative neglect case, the Second Department noted that a criminal proceeding can be given collateral estoppel effect and summary judgment can be granted in a neglect proceeding.  Here the father had pled guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in connection of the smothering-death of a child in his care.  The Second Department also explained that the out-of-court statements of siblings may cross-corroborate one another.  The Second Department affirmed the derivative neglect findings:

A determination in a criminal action may be given collateral estoppel effect in a Family Court proceeding where the identical issue has been resolved, and the defendant in the criminal action had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue of his or her criminal conduct … . * * *

Although the Family Court Act does not specifically provide for summary judgment, it does state that “the provisions of the civil practice law and rules shall apply to the extent that they are appropriate to the proceedings involved” (Family Ct Act § 165[a]). Thus, in an appropriate case, the Family Court may enter a finding of neglect or abuse on a motion for summary judgment in lieu of holding a fact-finding hearing, upon the petitioner’s prima facie showing of neglect or abuse as a matter of law and the respondent’s failure to raise a triable issue of fact in opposition to the motion… . * * *

Pursuant to Family Court Act § 1046, “previous statements made by the child relating to any allegations of abuse or neglect shall be admissible in evidence, but if uncorroborated, such statements shall not be sufficient to make a fact-finding of abuse or neglect. Any other evidence tending to support the reliability of the previous statements, including, but not limited to the types of evidence defined in this subdivision shall be sufficient corroboration” (Family Ct Act § 1046[a][vi]…). The out-of-court statements of siblings may properly be used to cross-corroborate one another … . The Family Court has considerable discretion in the first instance to determine if a child’s out-of-court statements have been reliably corroborated, and whether the record as a whole supports a finding of abuse or neglect … . Matter of Harmony ME…, 2014 NY Slip OP 06580, 2nd Dept 10-1-14

 

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