Case ID: ad2d_17/html/0898-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of Donald J. Schwanke, Respondent, v. William S. Hults, Individually and as Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the State of New York, Appellant.
   Order unanimously reversed and proceeding dismissed, without costs. Memorandum: Petitioner was convicted in Canada of driving a motor vehicle while his ability was impaired by alcohol. Upon notification of his plea of guilty and conviction, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles revoked petitioner’s license in compliance with the statutory mandate. The petitioner in the proceeding before Special Term alleged errors made in the Canadian court and stated that his plea of guilty was made when he was not represented by counsel, that he was not informed of his right to counsel and further that he did not want to be held for trial in a foreign country. None of these grounds justifies the annulment of the Commissioner’s revocation and restitution of the license. It has been held repeatedly that the petitioner’s remedy is to attack directly his conviction in the court of original jurisdiction and that he cannot collaterally attack the conviction in this proceeding (Matter of Hickey v. Kelly, 9 A D 2d 386, affd. 8 N Y 2d 715; Matter of Woodard v. Macduff, 5 A D 2d 26, 28, appeal dismissed 5 N Y 2d 913; Matter of La Victoire v. Kelly, 5 A D 2d 548, 551, 552). (Appeal from final order of Erie Special Term granting petitioner’s application and directing discontinuance of all revocation proceedings relating to petitioner’s driver’s license.) Present — Williams, P. J., Goldman, Halpern, McClusky and Henry, JJ.