In People v. Mendoza , Silva Mendoza asked the Bronx County Supreme Court to stop prosecutors from introducing evidence that "contraband" was discovered in his pocket during a search conducted by Rikers Island corrections officers.
When the Bronx County Supreme Court denied Mendoza's request without a hearing, and sentenced him to a term of 2 to 4 years, Mendoza appealed to the Appellate Division, First Department.
Although he asserted a constitutional violation, in view of an inmate's diminished rights and Mendoza's failure to show why the search was "unreasonable," the AD1 could discern no basis to disturb the outcome.
Clearly, Mendoza needed deeper pockets.
To download a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: People v. Mendoza