Case: J.S. v. New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

1:20-cv-00297 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York

Filed Date: March 11, 2020

Closed Date: Aug. 3, 2023

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Case Summary

In August 2016, Plaintiff student, who was incarcerated and 20 years old, prevailed in an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act due process administrative hearing against Defendant New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”). On March 11, 2020, the plaintiff, represented by Disability Rights New York, New York's Protection and Advocacy Agency, filed a lawsuit against DOCCS under the IDEA to recover $71,542.00 in fees and $988.72 in costs as the IDEA prevai…

In August 2016, Plaintiff student, who was incarcerated and 20 years old, prevailed in an Individuals with Disabilities Education Act due process administrative hearing against Defendant New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”).

On March 11, 2020, the plaintiff, represented by Disability Rights New York, New York's Protection and Advocacy Agency, filed a lawsuit against DOCCS under the IDEA to recover $71,542.00 in fees and $988.72 in costs as the IDEA prevailing party. Case assigned to Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

The district court adopted a magistrate's report and recommendation and dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim, saying that the plaintiff was a "child" and not the "parent," and thus not entitled to recover fees.  See J.S. v. N.Y. State Dep't of Corr. & Cmty. Supervision, 557 F. Supp. 3d 403, 405 (W.D.N.Y. 2021).

The plaintiff appealed to the 2nd Circuit, which reversed the district court.  The court concluded "that the IDEA permits a court to award fees and costs to J.S. as “an individual who is legally responsible for the child's welfare” because, as a “child with a disability” under age 22 and without representation by a guardian, natural parent, or appointed individual, he prevailed in his action on his own behalf seeking required educational services from DOCCS. 20 U.S.C. §§ 1401(23), 1412(a)(1)(A). Accordingly, we REVERSE the judgment of the district court denying him an award of fees, and we remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion."  J.S. v. New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 76 F.4th 32, (2nd Cir. 2023)

The docket does not indicate further activity on remand.

Summary Authors

NDRN (5/17/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18387105/parties/js-v-new-york-state-department-of-corrections-and-community-supervision/


Judge(s)

Sinatra, John Leonard (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Goldman, Simeon L. (New York)

Keegan, Julie M. (New York)

Pagano, Maria E. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Longo, Darren (New York)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:20-cv-00297

Complaint

March 11, 2020

March 11, 2020

Complaint
1-1

1:20-cv-00297

Decision and Order

March 11, 2020

March 11, 2020

Order/Opinion
16

1:20-cv-00297

Report and Recommendation

Oct. 5, 2020

Oct. 5, 2020

Magistrate Report/Recommendation
25

1:20-cv-00297

Decision and Order

Aug. 30, 2021

Aug. 30, 2021

Order/Opinion

557 F.Supp.3d 403

99

21-02447

Opinion

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Aug. 3, 2023

Aug. 3, 2023

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18387105/js-v-new-york-state-department-of-corrections-and-community-supervision/

Last updated June 30, 2025, 11:35 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT J.S. against New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) $ 400 receipt number 0209-3765366, filed by J. S.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - IHO Decision)(Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 03/11/2020)

1 Exhibit 1 - IHO Decision

View on Clearinghouse

March 11, 2020

March 11, 2020

Clearinghouse

E-Filing Notification: Attorney is directed to file a civil cover sheet, pursuant to Local Rule 3. No judge assignment will be made until filing is entered on the docket. Please utilize the Continuation of Exhibits event, located within the Responses and Replies category. (CGJ)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER
2

CONTINUATION OF EXHIBITS by J. S.. Civil Cover Sheet filed by J. S.. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 03/12/2020)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER
3

CONTINUATION OF EXHIBITS by J. S.. to 1 Complaint Exhibit 2 filed by J. S.. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 03/12/2020)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER

Case assigned to Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. Notification to Chambers of on-line civil case opening. (CGJ)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER

AUTOMATIC REFERRAL to Mediation The ADR Plan is available for download at http://www.nywd.uscourts.gov/alternative-dispute-resolution.(CGJ)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER

Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge: A United States Magistrate of this Court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 636c and FRCP 73. The Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge form (AO-85) is available for download at http://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/forms. (CGJ)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER

Original summons not submitted. (CGJ)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER
4

CONTINUATION OF EXHIBITS by J. S.. Summons filed by J. S.. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 03/12/2020)

March 12, 2020

March 12, 2020

PACER
5

Summons Issued as to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. (BK) (Entered: 03/13/2020)

March 13, 2020

March 13, 2020

PACER
6

AFFIDAVIT of Service for Summons and Complaint served on Mark Richter on 03/30/2020, filed by J. S.. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 04/01/2020)

April 1, 2020

April 1, 2020

PACER
7

MOTION to Dismiss by New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support)(Longo, Darren) (Entered: 05/28/2020)

May 28, 2020

May 28, 2020

PACER
8

TEXT REFERRAL ORDER (DISPOSITIVE) - Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy, United States Magistrate Judge, is hereby designated to act in this case as follows: Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ยง 636(b)(1)(A) and (B), all pre-trial matters in this case are referred to the above-named United States Magistrate Judge, including but not limited to: (1) conduct of a scheduling conference and entry of a scheduling order pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 16, (2) hearing and disposition of all non-dispositive motions or applications, (3) supervision of discovery, and (4) supervision of all procedural matters involving the aforementioned or involving the preparation of the case or any matter therein for consideration by the District Judge. The Magistrate Judge shall also hear and report upon dispositive motions for the consideration of the District Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. ยง 636(b)(1)(B) and (C). All motions or applications shall be filed with the Clerk and made returnable before the Magistrate Judge. The parties are encouraged to consider the provisions of 28 U.S.C. ยง 636(c) governing consent to either partial or complete disposition of the case, including trial if necessary, by the Magistrate Judge. Consent forms are available from the office of the Magistrate Judge or the office of the Clerk of Court. IT IS SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. on 6/1/2020. (KLH) (Entered: 06/01/2020)

June 1, 2020

June 1, 2020

PACER
9

TEXT ORDER: Plaintiff's response to defendant's motion to dismiss 7 shall be filed by June 11, 2020; defendant's reply, if any, shall be filed by June 15, 2020, after which time the motion will be taken under advisement without oral argument unless requested by one of the parties or deemed necessary by the court. SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy on 6/1/2020. (DAZ) (Entered: 06/01/2020)

June 1, 2020

June 1, 2020

PACER
10

Letter Motion to extend time to file response/reply y J. S. as to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision regarding motion schedule. (Goldman, Simeon) Modified on 6/3/2020 - changed to motion (DAZ). (Entered: 06/02/2020)

June 2, 2020

June 2, 2020

PACER
11

TEXT ORDER granting 10 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Plaintiff's response to defendant's motion to dismiss 7 shall be filed by June 26, 2020; defendant's reply, if any, shall be filed by July 10, 2020, after which time the motion will be taken under advisement without oral argument unless requested by one of the parties or deemed necessary by the court. SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy on 6/3/2020. (DAZ) (Entered: 06/03/2020)

June 3, 2020

June 3, 2020

PACER
12

RESPONSE in Opposition re 7 MOTION to Dismiss filed by J. S.. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 06/26/2020)

June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020

RECAP
13

MEMORANDUM/BRIEF re 12 Response in Opposition to Motion (Reply brief) by New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. (Longo, Darren) (Entered: 07/09/2020)

July 9, 2020

July 9, 2020

PACER
14

MOTION for Leave to File Sur-Reply by J. S..(Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 07/10/2020)

July 10, 2020

July 10, 2020

PACER

E-Filing Notification: 14 MOTION for Leave to File Sur-Reply. Notice of Motion. A notice of motion is required for all motions, and must state: the relief sought, the grounds for the request, the papers submitted in support, and the return date for the motion, if known. A moving party who intends to file and serve reply papers must so state in the notice of motion. Please re-file in proper format. (BK)

July 13, 2020

July 13, 2020

PACER
15

TEXT ORDER granting plaintiff's letter motion 14 for leave to file sur-reply of no more than three pages. SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy on 7/13/2020. (JD) (Entered: 07/13/2020)

July 13, 2020

July 13, 2020

PACER
16

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION re: defendant's motion to dismiss 7 . Objections to the R&R due by 10/19/2020. Signed by Hon. Jeremiah J. McCarthy on 10/5/20. (MDY)

Oct. 5, 2020

Oct. 5, 2020

Clearinghouse
17

Letter filed by J. S. as to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Seeking extension to file objections. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 10/09/2020)

Oct. 9, 2020

Oct. 9, 2020

PACER
18

TEXT ORDER. The Court grants Plaintiff's request for an extension of time to file objections for the reasons set forth in Dkt. 17. Plaintiff's objections are due by 11/2/2020. Defendant's response is due by 11/16/2020. Plaintiff's reply, if any, is due by 11/23/2020. SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. on 10/9/2020. (KEF) (Entered: 10/09/2020)

Oct. 9, 2020

Oct. 9, 2020

PACER
19

Letter filed by J. S. as to New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Requesting Permission to File Late Objections. (Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 11/05/2020)

Nov. 5, 2020

Nov. 5, 2020

PACER
20

TEXT ORDER. The Court grants Plaintiff's unopposed request for time to file late objections (Dkt. 19). Plaintiff shall file objections by 11/16/2020. Defendant's response is due by 11/30/2020. Plaintiff's reply, if any, is due by 12/7/2020. SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. on 11/5/2020. (KEF) (Entered: 11/05/2020)

Nov. 5, 2020

Nov. 5, 2020

PACER
21

OBJECTIONS to Report and Recommendation of Magistrate filed by Plaintiff J. S... (Attachments: # 1 Certification of Plaintiff's Objections to Report and Recommendations, # 2 Memorandum in Support Plaintiff's Objections to Report and Recommendations)(Goldman, Simeon) (Entered: 11/16/2020)

Nov. 16, 2020

Nov. 16, 2020

PACER
22

NOTICE of Appearance by Julie M. Keegan on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Keegan, Julie) (Entered: 02/11/2021)

Feb. 11, 2021

Feb. 11, 2021

PACER
23

TEXT ORDER. Defendant shall file a memorandum addressing the applicability of Winkelman ex rel. Winkelman v. Parma City School District, 550 U.S. 516 (2007), to this case by 4/13/2021. Plaintiff shall respond by 4/20/2021. SO ORDERED. Issued by Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. on 3/30/2021. (KEF) (Entered: 03/30/2021)

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

PACER
24

MEMORANDUM/BRIEF re 23 Text Order, re Winkelman by New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. (Longo, Darren) (Entered: 04/13/2021)

April 13, 2021

April 13, 2021

PACER
25

DECISION AND ORDER accepting and adopting Judge McCarthy's 16 Report and Recommendations and granting DOCC's 7 Motion to Dismiss. J.S.'s complaint is dismissed with prejudice. The Clerk of Court shall close this case. Signed by Hon. John L. Sinatra, Jr. on 8/30/2021. (KLH)-CLERK TO FOLLOW UP-

Aug. 30, 2021

Aug. 30, 2021

Clearinghouse
26

JUDGMENT in favor of New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision against J. S. Signed by Mary C. Loewenguth, Clerk of Court on 9/1/2021. (JLV) (Entered: 09/01/2021)

Sept. 1, 2021

Sept. 1, 2021

PACER
27

NOTICE OF APPEAL by J. S.. Filing fee $ 505, receipt number 0209-4373390. Appeal Record due by 10/12/2021. (Keegan, Julie) (Entered: 09/28/2021)

Sept. 28, 2021

Sept. 28, 2021

PACER
28

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by J. S. of Notice of Appeal (Keegan, Julie) (Entered: 09/29/2021)

Sept. 29, 2021

Sept. 29, 2021

PACER

E-Filing Notification: 27 NOTICE OF APPEAL; Within 14 days of filing the Notice of Appeal, the appellant is required to electronically file with the District Court an index of filed documents it wishes the Court of Appeals to consider, called Designation of Record on Appeal. After receipt, the Clerks Office will certify and transmit the index to the Circuit. (JLV)

Sept. 29, 2021

Sept. 29, 2021

PACER

E-Filing Notification: 27 NOTICE OF APPEAL; Pursuant to Local Rule 12.1 of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Forms C and D must be completed within 14 days after the filing of a notice of appeal. Forms C and D can be obtained at www.ca2.uscourts.gov. (JLV)

Sept. 29, 2021

Sept. 29, 2021

PACER
29

DESIGNATION of Record on Appeal by J. S. re 27 Notice of Appeal CLERK TO FOLLOW UP (Keegan, Julie) (Entered: 10/08/2021)

Oct. 8, 2021

Oct. 8, 2021

PACER
30

CLERKS CERTIFICATE filed and electronically sent to Court of Appeals. (JLV) (Entered: 10/12/2021)

Oct. 12, 2021

Oct. 12, 2021

PACER

Case Details