Matter of Juli P.
2009 NY Slip Op 04109 [62 AD3d 588]
May 26, 2009
Appellate Division, First Department
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
As corrected through Wednesday, July 1, 2009


In the Matter of Juli P., a Person Alleged to be a Juvenile Delinquent, Appellant.

[*1] Tamara A. Steckler, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Judith Harris of counsel), for appellant.

Michael A. Cardozo, Corporation Counsel, New York (Victoria Scalzo of counsel), for presentment agency.

Order of disposition, Family Court, Bronx County (Sidney Gribetz, J.), entered on or about May 28, 2008, which adjudicated appellant a juvenile delinquent, upon a fact-finding determination that he committed an act which, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crime of assault in the third degree, and imposed a conditional discharge for a period of 12 months, unanimously reversed, on the facts and in the exercise of discretion, without costs, the finding of juvenile delinquency and order of conditional discharge vacated and the matter remanded with the direction to order an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACD) pursuant to Family Court Act § 315.3 (1).

Imposition of a juvenile delinquency adjudication was an improvident exercise of discretion, because it was not "the least restrictive available alternative" (Family Ct Act § 352.2 [2] [a]). Rather, an ACD, with such counseling as Family Court deems appropriate, would adequately serve the needs of appellant and society in this case (see e.g. Matter of Jeffrey C., 47 AD3d 433 [2008], lv denied 10 NY3d 707 [2008]). The court acknowledged that there was no need for protection of the community from appellant, that when appellant injured his friend he did so recklessly rather than intentionally, that this incident was an isolated outburst, and that appellant had expressed remorse. Furthermore, the record establishes that appellant had a good school record and home environment, and did not manifest any other behavior problems. Concur—Friedman, J.P., Sweeny, Nardelli, Acosta and Richter, JJ.