Case Name: In the Matter of Federico Giovanelu et al., Petitioners, v. Lawrence J. Finnegan et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1994-09-12
Citations: 207 A.D.2d 782
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Federico Giovanelu et al., Petitioners, v Lawrence J. Finnegan et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 207
Pages: 782–783

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Federico Giovanelu et al., Petitioners, v Lawrence J. Finnegan et al., Respondents.
[616 NYS2d 974]

Opinion:
—Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 in the nature of prohibition, inter alia, to prohibit the respondents from proceeding with a retrial of the petitioners under Queens County Indictment No. 518/86.
Upon the petition and papers filed in support of the proceeding, and the papers filed in opposition thereto, it is
Adjudged that the petition is denied and the proceeding is dismissed, without costs or disbursements.
"Because of its extraordinary nature, prohibition is available only where there is a clear legal right, and then only when a court—in cases where judicial authority is challenged —acts or threatens to act either without jurisdiction or in excess of its authorized powers" (Matter of Holtzman v Goldman, 71 NY2d 564, 569; see, Matter of Rush v Mordue, 68 NY2d 348, 352). The petitioners here have failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought. Sullivan, J. P., Miller, Pizzuto and Altman, JJ., concur.