X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Decided and Entered: July 20, 2006 99438 ________________________________ In the Matter of CORY COSTNER, Petitioner, v GLENN S. GOORD, as Commissioner of Correctional Services, Respondent. ________________________________ Calendar Date: June 14, 2006 Before: Cardona, P.J., Mercure, Crew III, Peters and Spain, JJ. __________ Cory Costner, Brocton, petitioner pro se. Eliot Spitzer, Attorney General, Albany (Andrea Oser of counsel), for respondent. __________ 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. Petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with using a controlled substance after a sample of his urine twice tested positive for the presence of cannabinoids. He was found guilty of the charge following a tier III disciplinary hearing and the determination was affirmed on administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued. We confirm. Substantial evidence, in the form of the misbehavior report, positive urinalysis test results and related documentation, as well as the testimony of the correction officer who conducted the test, supports the determination of guilt (see Matter of Wigfall v Goord, 20 AD3d 799, 800 [2005]; Matter of El v Selsky, 14 AD3d 763, 764 [2005]). Although the request for urinalysis test form failed to state the name of the officer who removed the sample from the freezer and tested it as required (see 7 NYCRR 1020.4 [e] [1] [i]), the testing officer explained that he had sole custody of the sample during the relevant time period and inadvertently neglected to write his name on the chain of custody portion of the form. Such testimony cured the defect and adequately established the chain of custody of the sample (see e.g. Matter of Mohammad v Goord, 19 AD3d 781, 782 [2005]). Likewise, the other minor irregularities in the test documentation were sufficiently explained by the testing officer. Petitioner’s remaining contentions, including his claim of hearing officer bias, have been examined and found to be without merit. Cardona, P.J., Mercure, Crew III, Peters and Spain, JJ., concur. ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›

Shipman is seeking an associate to join our Labor & Employment practice in our Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford office. Candidates shou...


Apply Now ›

Lower Manhattan firm seeks a premises liability litigator (i.e., depositions, SJ motions, and/or trials) with at least 3-6 years of experien...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›