Case Name: In the Matter of Hilary Best, Petitioner, v. Barry A. Schwartz et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2016-08-24
Citations: 142 A.D.3d 663
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Hilary Best, Petitioner, v Barry A. Schwartz et al., Respondents.
Judges: Eng, P.J., Dickerson, Duffy and Connolly, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 142
Pages: 663–663

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Hilary Best, Petitioner, v Barry A. Schwartz et al., Respondents.
[36 NYS3d 826]

Opinion:
— Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 in the nature of prohibition to prohibit the respondent Barry A. Schwartz, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, from presiding over a criminal action against the petitioner under Queens County indictment No. 768/14.
Adjudged that the petition is denied and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, 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 [1988]; see Matter of Rush v Mordue, 68 NY2d 348, 352 [1986]). The petitioner has failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought.
Eng, P.J., Dickerson, Duffy and Connolly, JJ., concur.