Opinion
2013-07-19
In the Matter of Cesar ROSA, Petitioner, v. Brian FISCHER, Commissioner, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Wyoming County–Attica Legal Aid Bureau, Warsaw (Leah R. Nowotarski of Counsel), for Petitioner. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Allyson B. Levine of Counsel), for Respondent.
Wyoming County–Attica Legal Aid Bureau, Warsaw (Leah R. Nowotarski of Counsel), for Petitioner. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Allyson B. Levine of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., SCONIERS, VALENTINO, WHALEN, AND MARTOCHE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding seeking to annul the determination of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) revoking his release to parole supervision. “ ‘[I]t is well settled that a determination to revoke parole will be confirmed if the procedural requirements were followed and there is evidence [that], if credited, would support such determination’ ” ( Matter of Wilson v. Evans, 104 A.D.3d 1190, 1190, 960 N.Y.S.2d 807). We conclude that the ALJ's determination that petitioner violated the conditions of his parole by exposing his penis and masturbating in a public library is supported by substantial evidence ( see generally id.). In making that determination, the ALJ was entitled to credit the testimony of respondent's witnesses and reject petitioner's version of the events ( see Matter of Mosley v. Dennison, 30 A.D.3d 975, 976, 816 N.Y.S.2d 789,lv. denied7 N.Y.3d 712, 824 N.Y.S.2d 603, 857 N.E.2d 1134). Contrary to petitioner's contention, we conclude that he received meaningful representation at the final parole revocation hearing ( see Matter of James v. Chairman of N.Y. State Bd. of Parole, 106 A.D.3d 1300, 1300, 965 N.Y.S.2d 235). We reject petitioner's further contention that the 72–month time assessment imposed against him is excessive. “The Executive Law does not place an outer limit on the length of that assessment, and the [ALJ's] determination may not be modified upon judicial review ‘in the absence of impropriety’ ” ( Matter of Bell v. Lemons, 78 A.D.3d 1393, 1393–1394, 910 N.Y.S.2d 701;see Wilson, 104 A.D.3d at 1191, 960 N.Y.S.2d 807). Here, the ALJ considered the appropriate factors and, “given petitioner's violent criminal record and his recurrent disregard for the conditions of his parole, we perceive nothing improper in the assessment imposed” ( Bell, 78 A.D.3d at 1394, 910 N.Y.S.2d 701).
It is hereby ORDERED that the determination is unanimously confirmed without costs and the petition is dismissed.