Case Name: In the Matter of Deandre Williams, Petitioner, v. Barbara G. Zambelli, as a Justice of the Westchester County Court, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1999-12-06
Citations: 267 A.D.2d 243
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Deandre Williams, Petitioner, v Barbara G. Zambelli, as a Justice of the Westchester County Court, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 267
Pages: 243–244

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Deandre Williams, Petitioner, v Barbara G. Zambelli, as a Justice of the Westchester County Court, Respondent.
[699 NYS2d 869]

Opinion:
—Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 in the nature of prohibition, inter alia, to prohibit the respondent, Barbara G. Zambelli, a Justice of the County Court, Westchester County, from deciding any motions submitted by the petitioner to the County Court, Westchester County, and application for leave to prosecute the proceeding as a poor person and for the assignment of counsel.
Ordered that the application for leave to prosecute the proceeding as a poor person is granted; and it is further,
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 petitioner has failed to demonstrate a clear legal right to the relief sought. Ritter, J. P., Santucci, Joy and Luciano, JJ., concur.