Case Name: In the Matter of Veronica P., Respondent, v. Radcliff A., Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2015-03-12
Citations: 126 A.D.3d 492
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Veronica P., Respondent, v Radcliff A., Appellant.
Judges: Concur — Tom, J.P., Sweeny, Saxe and Clark, JJ.
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 126
Pages: 492–492

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Veronica P., Respondent, v Radcliff A., Appellant.
[2 NYS3d 799]

Opinion:
Order, Family Court, New York County (Ivy I. Cook, Referee), entered on or about February 4, 2011, which after a hearing, determined that appellant had committed acts that constituted harassment in the second degree (Penal Law § 240.26), and granted petitioner a two-year order of protection directing appellant to, inter alia, stay away from her home, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
A fair preponderance of the evidence (Family Ct Act § 832) supports the referee's finding that appellant committed acts constituting the family offense of harassment in the second degree (see Penal Law § 240.26), warranting the issuance of an order of protection (see Family Ct Act § 812 [1]; 842). The evidence demonstrates that, following an argument, appellant pushed petitioner, an 87-year-old woman, and then threatened her, and we find no basis for disturbing the referee's credibility determinations (see Matter of F.B. v W.B., 248 AD2d 119 [1st Dept 1998]).
There is no merit to appellant's claim that the referee improperly assumed the role of advocate for the petitioner. Rather, the referee properly asked questions throughout the proceedings that "advance [d] the goals of truth and clarity" (see People v Arnold, 98 NY2d 63, 68 [2002]).
Concur — Tom, J.P., Sweeny, Saxe and Clark, JJ.