GERALD JOHNSON v. NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

 

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE

APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY

APPELLATE DIVISION

DOCKET NO. A-4638-07T24638-07T2

GERALD JOHNSON,

Appellant,

v.

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT

OF CORRECTIONS,

Respondent.

___________________________

 

Submitted February 24, 2009 - Decided

Before Judges Winkelstein and Gilroy.

On appeal from a Final Agency Decision of the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

Gerald Johnson, appellant pro se.

Anne Milgram, Attorney General, attorney for respondent (Lewis A. Scheindlin, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel; Susan M. Scott, Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).

PER CURIAM

Appellant Gerald Johnson appeals from the Final Decision of the New Jersey Department of Corrections (DOC), finding him guilty of committing prohibited act *.153, stealing (theft), in violation of N.J.A.C. 10A:4-4.1(a). We affirm.

On appeal, appellant argues that the decision of the DOC should be reversed because: (1) the reporting staff member's written statements failed to show his participation in the prohibited act; (2) the DOC's finding that he committed the prohibited act is not supported by credible evidence in the record; and (3) the hearing officer improperly curtailed his opportunity to call witnesses and present evidence in defense of the charge.

Our role in reviewing the decision of an administrative agency is limited. In re Taylor, 158 N.J. 644, 656 (1999); Brady v. Bd. of Review, 152 N.J. 197, 210 (1997). We will not upset the determination of an administrative agency absent a showing that it was arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable; that it lacked fair support in the evidence; or that it violated legislative policies. In re Musick, 143 N.J. 206, 216 (1996); Henry v. Rahway State Prison, 81 N.J. 571, 579-80 (1980); Campbell v. Dep't of Civil Serv., 39 N.J. 556, 562 (1963). Further, decisions of administrative agencies carry with them a presumption of reasonableness. Newark v. Natural Res. Council, 82 N.J. 530, 539, cert. denied, 449 U.S. 983, 101 S. Ct. 400, 66 L. Ed. 2d 245 (1980). We may not vacate an agency's determination because of doubts as to its wisdom or because the record may support more than one result. See generally De Vitis v. N.J. Racing Comm'n, 202 N.J. Super. 484, 489-90 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 102 N.J. 337 (1985).

We have considered each of appellant's arguments in light of the record and applicable law. We are satisfied that the arguments are without sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

Affirmed.

(continued)

(continued)

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A-4638-07T2

March 16, 2009