Case Name: In the Matter of Lior A. et al., Petitioners, v. John M. Galasso, as Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2007-06-12
Citations: 41 A.D.3d 594
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Lior A. et al., Petitioners, v John M. Galasso, as Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 41
Pages: 594–595

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Lior A. et al., Petitioners, v John M. Galasso, as Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, et al., Respondents.
[836 NYS2d 423]

Opinion:
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 in the nature of prohibition and mandamus, inter alia, to compel the respondent John M. Galasso, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, to vacate certain orders issued pursuant to CPL 330.20 and to prohibit the respondents from seeking any additional orders pursuant to CPL 330.20.
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 [1988]; see Matter of Rush v Mordue, 68 NY2d 348, 352 [1986]). Similarly, the extraordinary remedy of mandamus will lie only to compel the performance of a ministerial act and only when there exists a clear legal right to the relief sought (see Matter of Legal Aid Socy. of Sullivan County v Scheinman, 53 NY2d 12, 16 [1981]).
The petitioners have failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought. Florio, J.P., Fisher, Carni and McCarthy, JJ., concur.