Opinion
No. 9:02-CV-0639.
June 13, 2006
Robert A. Culp, Esq., of Counsel CULP LAW OFFICE, Garrison, New York, Attorneys for Petitioner.
Attorney General of the State of New York Alyson J. Gill, Esq., Assistant Attorney General Office of the Attorney General, HON. ELIOT SPITZER, New York, New York, Attorneys for the Respondent
MEMORANDUM-DECISION AND ORDER
By Memorandum-Decision and Order filed March 3, 2006, the Report-Recommendation issued by Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles was accepted and adopted in its entirety, and the petition for habeas corpus relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2254 by petitioner Daniel Rubin was granted in part and denied in part. Dkt. No. 33. Petitioner has appealed that Order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Dkt. No. 35.
Presently before the Court is petitioner's request for a certificate of appealability ("COA"). Dkt. No. 36. Petitioner seeks a COA with respect to each of the four grounds on which he unsuccessfully sought habeas corpus relief in this Court.
Respondent opposes the issuance of a COA. Dkt. No. 39.
Appeals to the Court of Appeals in habeas corpus proceedings are governed by 28 U.S.C. § 2253, which provides in relevant part that:
(c) (1) Unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability, an appeal may not be taken to the court of appeals from — (A) the final order in a habeas corpus proceeding in which the detention complained of arises out of process issued by a State court; or (B) the final order in a proceeding under section 2255.
Rule 22 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure also provides that an appeal may not proceed "unless a circuit justice or a circuit or district judge issues a certificate of appealability under 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)." Fed.R.App.P. 22(b).
A COA may only be issued "if the applicant has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right." 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c)(2). This standard is satisfied by "showing that reasonable jurists could debate whether (or, for that matter, agree that) the petition should have been resolved in a different manner or that the issues presented were adequate to deserve encouragement to proceed further." Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 483-84 (2000) (internal quotations and citation omitted).
Petitioner claims that he is entitled to habeas corpus relief from his convictions on counts one through seven of the indictment on the ground that the so-called Public Charge Regulation — 18 N.Y.C.R.R. § 505.14(h)(7)(ii)(a)(1) — is unconstitutionally vague. Dkt. No. 1 at 6 ("Ground One"). This claim was discussed at length by Magistrate Judge Peebles in his Report-Recommendation. Dkt. No. 28 at 24-39. Moreover, as noted by petitioner, the Appellate Division, Third Department, had unanimously reversed petitioner's convictions on counts 1-7 on this ground. Dkt. No. 36 at 2.
The Court of Appeals reversed that decision. People v. Rubin, 96 N.Y.2D 548 (2001). The procedural history of petitioner's criminal case is set forth at pages 13-17 of the ReportRecommendation. Dkt. No. 28.
Upon due consideration, the Court finds that petitioner has made the showing required for issuance of a COA with respect to his claim that the Public Charge Regulation is void for vagueness. The Court finds that petitioner has failed to make the required showing with respect to the remainder of his claims (Grounds Two, Four and Six), and therefore denies his request for a COA with respect thereto.
It is therefore
ORDERED that petitioner's application for a COA (Dkt. No. 36) is granted with respect to petitioner's claim that the Public Charge Regulation is unconstitutionally vague (Ground One) and denied with respect to his remaining claims (Grounds Two, Four, and Six), and it is further
ORDERED that the Clerk serve a copy of this Order on the parties.
IT IS SO ORDERED.