Case Name: In the Matter of Tiahek Q., a Person Alleged to be in Need of Supervision
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1991-12-26
Citations: 178 A.D.2d 1020
Docket Number: Appeal No. 2
Parties: In the Matter of Tiahek Q., a Person Alleged to be in Need of Supervision.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 178
Pages: 1020–1021

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Tiahek Q., a Person Alleged to be in Need of Supervision.
(Appeal No. 2.)

Opinion:
— Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs and matter remitted to Erie County Family Court for further proceedings, in accordance with the following Memorandum: After a fact-finding hearing on a juvenile delinquency petition, respondent was adjudicated a Person in Need of Supervision and placed accordingly (see, Family Ct Act § 311.4 [2]). On a subsequent petition to transfer respondent to a more structured facility, the court was advised that the only available placement was with the Division for Youth as a juvenile delinquent. The court then readjudicated respondent a juvenile delinquent in order to place him in a more structured facility.
The court had no authority to readjudicate respondent a juvenile delinquent in order to facilitate a transfer. The court had authority to order a transfer only if it "was authorized to make such placement upon the original adjudication" (Family Ct Act § 775 [a] [ii]). Moreover, there is no provision in the Family Court Act authorizing the court to substitute a finding that respondent is a juvenile delinquent for a finding that the respondent is a Person in Need of Supervision (cf., Family Ct Act § 311.4 [2]).
Accordingly, the adjudication of respondent as a juvenile delinquent is hereby vacated and this matter is remitted for a hearing pursuant to Family Court Act § 775 so that a proper transfer can be based upon respondent's adjudication as a Person in Need of Supervision. (Appeal from Order of Erie County Family Court, Manz, J. — Modification of Court Order.) Present — Denman, P. J., Boomer, Pine, Lawton and Davis, JJ.