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Mickens v. Goodman

Citations: 232 A.D.2d 491; 648 N.Y.S.2d 339; 1996 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 10198

Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York; October 15, 1996; New York; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

A proceeding was initiated under CPLR article 78 seeking a writ of mandamus to compel Justice Marvin I. Goodman to release a presentence report from the Nassau County Probation Department. Justice Goodman filed a motion to dismiss the proceeding. The court granted the motion to dismiss and denied the petition, concluding that the petitioner did not establish a clear legal right to the requested relief. The court emphasized that mandamus can only compel the performance of a ministerial act when there is a clear legal right. The decision was concurred by Justices Mangano, Rosenblatt, Sullivan, and Hart, and no costs or disbursements were awarded.

Legal Issues Addressed

Judicial Concurrence and Costs

Application: The decision was unanimously agreed upon by the sitting justices, and no costs or disbursements were awarded in this case.

Reasoning: The decision was concurred by Justices Mangano, Rosenblatt, Sullivan, and Hart, and no costs or disbursements were awarded.

Mandamus Relief Requirements

Application: The court determined that the petitioner did not meet the requirements for a writ of mandamus because they failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought.

Reasoning: The court granted the motion to dismiss and denied the petition, concluding that the petitioner did not establish a clear legal right to the requested relief.

Scope of Mandamus

Application: The court highlighted that mandamus is applicable only to compel the performance of a ministerial act when a clear legal right is present.

Reasoning: The court emphasized that mandamus can only compel the performance of a ministerial act when there is a clear legal right.