Opinion
2012-08-2
In the Matter of Caswell SENIOR, Petitioner, v. Brian FISCHER, as Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Caswell Senior, Malone, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Caswell Senior, Malone, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Before: MERCURE, J.P., ROSE, LAHTINEN, STEIN and McCARTHY, JJ.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Franklin County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
As relevant here, petitioner was found guilty after a tier III disciplinary hearing of attempted smuggling, attempted possession of drugs and violating facility visiting procedures. He thereafter commenced this proceeding challenging the determination, and we confirm. Contrary to his contention, the misbehavior report, testimony from the investigating correction officer, the positive test results for cocaine and marihuana of the substances surrendered by petitioner's visitor, and confidential evidence provide substantial evidence to support the determination( see Matter of Smiton v. New York State Dept. of Correctional Servs., 70 A.D.3d 1148, 1149, 894 N.Y.S.2d 567 [2010] ).
We are also unpersuaded by petitioner's procedural objections. Any alleged errors in the prehearing assistance were remedied by the Hearing Officer ( see Matter of Martino v. Goord, 38 A.D.3d 958, 959, 832 N.Y.S.2d 303 [2007] ). Petitioner further contends that the Hearing Officer impermissibly delayed by one day in seeking an extension of time to begin the hearing. Even if true, however, “the regulatory time limits are directory, not mandatory,” and petitioner has demonstrated no prejudice as a result of that minimal delay ( see Matter of Mackie v. Goord, 49 A.D.3d 952, 953, 853 N.Y.S.2d 218 [2008] ).
Petitioner's remaining contentions have been reviewed and, to the extent they are properly before us, found to be without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.