Opinion ID: 2270747
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: This case presents the issue of sufficient evidence in a prison disciplinary hearing before the Department of Corrections (hereinafter the Department). In particular, the parties have raised a question as to the evidentiary value of two field tests: the Duquenois-Levine Reagent test, used to detect the presence of components of marijuana; and the Marquis Reagent test, used to screen for numerous substances, including amphetamines, heroin, and opium alkaloids. The Appellees, on two separate occasions each, were involved in incidents at Green River Correctional Complex (GRCC) that led to disciplinary actions. In addition to other counts, each inmate was charged with two counts of possession of dangerous contraband. At the conclusion of evidentiary hearings, which included submission of the results of the field tests in question, both inmates were found guilty and were penalized with the loss of good time credit, placed in disciplinary segregation, and suffered the loss of privileges. Sharp and Thomas challenged the findings by filing separate declaratory judgment actions in the Muhlenberg Circuit Court. In Sharp's case, the circuit court noted the inmate had not challenged the findings as they related to one count of tampering with physical evidence. The court then rejected Sharp's claims as they related to one count of physical action against an employee of the institution. On the two counts dealing with possession of dangerous contraband, the court found the Appellants had failed to establish the reliability of either of the field tests. Thus, the court concluded the Appellants had not met the some evidence standard required in disciplinary proceedings. The Appellants in Sharp's action filed a timely appeal challenging the court's conclusions as they related to the two counts of possession of dangerous contraband. Sharp filed a timely cross appeal challenging, among other things, the court's decision as to one count of physical action against an employee of the institution. As with Sharp, the court granted Thomas a declaratory judgment on the two counts of possession of dangerous contraband. Likewise, the court denied Thomas's challenge to the one count of physical action against an employee of the institution. Again the court's reasoning rested on the fact that the Appellants had failed to present any evidence that the Duquenois-Levine Reagent test was reliable. The court concluded that even with the additional facts surrounding the incidents involving Thomas, the Appellants failed to demonstrate by some evidence that Thomas had possessed dangerous contraband. The Appellants in Thomas's action filed a timely appeal. The Court of Appeals, hearing the cases together, returned a two-to-one decision affirming the trial court. The majority rejected the arguments raised by Sharp in his cross appeal, and that portion of the decision has not been appealed. The majority then agreed with the circuit court's conclusion that the some evidence standard was not met as to the possession of dangerous contraband counts. In particular, the majority emphasized that it was the officers' burden to present evidence as to the reliability of the field tests. Having failed to do so, the majority found the scientific evidence was not reliable. In his opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part, Judge Knopf disagreed with the majority on the possession counts. Judge Knopf noted that other evidence had been presented to the hearing officer concerning the nature of the substance and the facts surrounding its discovery. Further, he noted that other jurisdictions have accepted the field tests, in particular under the reduced burden of the some evidence standard. Finally, Judge Knopf noted that the inmates had failed to raise the reliability of the field tests before the adjustment committee or the warden and thus were precluded from raising it for the first time in the declaratory judgment action. This Court accepted discretionary review on the issue of sufficiency of evidence and the value of the field tests in prison disciplinary proceedings. Having concluded the some evidence standard was met in three of the four incidents, without consideration of the field tests, we affirm in part and reverse in part.