When the Chemung County Supreme Court denied an inmate's name-change request on the grounds that it was confusing and deceiving, the guy appealed.
Because a satisfactory basis for the lower court's denial of the application hadn't been presented, the Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed.
Even though the guy wanted to call himself "Shaniece," the AD3 as of the view that any "confusion" that the name engendered wasn't enough to justify a denial -- particularly since the District Attorney, the sentencing judge, and prison officials had voiced no objection to the change.
Gift of G*d?
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Matter of Powell