Opinion
2012-03-8
In re JAMES S., A Person Alleged to be a Juvenile Delinquent, Appellant.Presentment Agency.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Diane Pazar of counsel), for appellant. Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Mordecai Newman of counsel), for presentment agency.
Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Diane Pazar of counsel), for appellant. Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Mordecai Newman of counsel), for presentment agency.
Order of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Jeanette Ruiz, J.), entered on or about May 25, 2011, which adjudicated appellant a juvenile delinquent upon his admission that he committed an act that, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crime of robbery in the second degree, and placed him with the Office of Children and Family Services for a period of 18 months, unanimously affirmed, without costs.
The placement was a proper exercise of the court's discretion, and it constituted the least restrictive alternative consistent with appellant's needs and best interests and the community's need for protection ( see Matter of Katherine W., 62 N.Y.2d 947, 479 N.Y.S.2d 190, 468 N.E.2d 28 [1984] ). The disposition was justified by the seriousness of the offense and appellant's escalating criminal conduct. Appellant committed new offenses while at liberty awaiting trial, and again while in custody after being remanded. In addition, he had a poor attendance record at school, along with behavior problems. For the same reasons, the length of the placement was not excessive.