Opinion ID: 2116270
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Matter of Cordero

Text: The charges in Cordero's case also involved a shank, this one having been used to stab a fellow inmate at the Coxsackie Correctional Facility on March 26, 1995. Prison officials charged Cordero with four violations of the standards of inmate behavior (7 NYCRR 270.2): assault on an inmate (rule 100.10); fighting (rule 100.13); possession of a weapon (rule 113.10); and refusing to obey a direct order (rule 106.10). After a Tier III disciplinary hearing, Cordero was found guilty of all specifications of misconduct. The Hearing Officer recommended that Cordero receive 48 months in a Special Housing Unit, loss of privileges and 12 months' loss of good time. On administrative appeal, Cordero's placement in the Special Housing Unit was reduced to 24 months, and was further reduced to 18 months by the Southport Disciplinary Review Committee. One week after the decision on the disciplinary hearing, Cordero was indicted by the Greene County Grand Jury and charged with two counts of second degree assault (Penal Law § 120.05 [2], [7]), one count of third degree criminal possession of a weapon (Penal Law § 265.02 [1]), and one count of first degree promoting prison contraband (Penal Law § 205.25 [2]). On September 12, 1995, Cordero pleaded guilty to the first count of second degree assault in full satisfaction of all charges, subject to his right to challenge the proceedings on double jeopardy grounds. The trial court held a hearing to determine the merits of Cordero's double jeopardy claim on October 10, 1995. Despite finding that the disciplinary action constituted punishment, the court held that the Double Jeopardy Clause did not bar criminal prosecution of Cordero. Thereafter, Cordero commenced a CPLR article 78 proceeding in the nature of a writ of prohibition in the Appellate Division, arguing that his criminal prosecution should be prohibited on double jeopardy grounds under both the Federal and State Constitutions and CPL article 40. The Appellate Division dismissed the petition. With respect to the statutory claim, the Court held that the double jeopardy protections afforded by article 40 are not triggered by an administrative action. With respect to the constitutional claim, the Court noted that it has consistently held that a prior disciplinary proceeding does not bar a subsequent criminal conviction. The Appellate Division further rejected petitioner's argument that the Supreme Court's decision in United States v Halper (490 US 435) dictated a contrary result. The Court relied on the Second Circuit decision in United States v Hernandez-Fundora (58 F.3d 802, 806) which rejected the same argument. Cordero appeals to this Court as of right, asserting a substantial constitutional question.