From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

In the Matter of Pollard v. Goord

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department
May 19, 2005
18 A.D.3d 1041 (N.Y. App. Div. 2005)

Opinion

96399.

May 19, 2005.

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 a prison disciplinary rule.

Before: Crew III, J.P., Peters, Carpinello, Mugglin and Rose, JJ., concur.


Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding challenging a determination finding him guilty of violating the prison disciplinary rule that prohibits the unauthorized use of a controlled substance after his urine twice tested positive for the presence of cannabinoids. We are unpersuaded by petitioner's contention that due to alleged deficiencies in the chain of custody, an insufficient foundation was laid for the reliance on the test results. The testing documents and testimony of the correction officer who obtained and tested petitioner's urine sample establish that the urine sample never left the correction officer's possession throughout the collection and testing process ( see 7 NYCRR 1020.4 [e] [1] [i]; Matter of Saif'Ul'Bait v. Goord, 15 AD3d 703, 705; Matter of Odome v. Goord, 14 AD3d 975). Furthermore, there is nothing in the record to indicate that petitioner's urine sample was tampered with or confused with another urine specimen ( see Matter of Saif'Ul'Bait v. Goord, supra at 705; Matter of Cooper v. Selsky, 9 AD3d 763, 764). Rather, the chain of custody and supporting documentation establish that proper testing procedures were followed thereby providing a proper foundation for reliance on the positive test results ( see 7 NYCRR 1020.5; Matter of Cooper v. Selsky, supra at 764). Inasmuch as the misbehavior report, positive test results and testimony at the hearing provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt, it will not be disturbed ( see Matter of Otero v. Selsky, 9 AD3d 631, 632). Petitioner's remaining contentions, including his claim of hearing officer bias, have been reviewed and found to be without merit.

Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.


Summaries of

In the Matter of Pollard v. Goord

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department
May 19, 2005
18 A.D.3d 1041 (N.Y. App. Div. 2005)
Case details for

In the Matter of Pollard v. Goord

Case Details

Full title:In the Matter of DONNELL POLLARD, Petitioner, v. GLENN S. GOORD, as…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, Third Department

Date published: May 19, 2005

Citations

18 A.D.3d 1041 (N.Y. App. Div. 2005)
794 N.Y.S.2d 739

Citing Cases

Harrison v. Fischer

Petitioner was found guilty of violating the prison disciplinary rule prohibiting the use of controlled…

Williams v. Selsky

The misbehavior report, together with the positive urinalysis test results and related documentation, as well…