Commissioner of Social Services Ex Rel. Mason v. Mason

Egan Jr., J. Appeals from two orders of the Family Court of Columbia County (Koweek, J.), entered September 24, 2014, which, in two proceedings pursuant to Family Ct Act article 4, among other things, committed respondent to jail for an aggregate of 180 days. In 2013, petitioner commenced these proceedings alleging that respondent willfully violated two child support orders pertaining to two different children. A Support Magistrate thereafter found, upon respondent’s consent, that he had willfully violated both child support orders. As to the first violation, the Support Magistrate determined that respondent owed $5,571.18 and recommended that he be incarcerated for 90 days. As to the second violation, the Support Magistrate determined that respondent owed $17,958.65 and recommended that he be incarcerated for 180 days. The Support Magistrate thereafter forwarded these findings and recommendations to Family Court for confirmation (see Family Ct Act § 439 [a]). In two orders, Family Court sentenced respondent to 90 days in jail on the first violation and 180 days in jail on the second violation, with the sentences to run concurrently. Respondent now appeals from both orders. * Respondent’s sole contention on appeal is that the sentences of incarceration imposed by Family Court were unduly harsh and excessive. However, inasmuch as respondent has served the terms of incarceration imposed, the appeals must be dismissed as moot (see Matter of Muller v Muller, 90 AD3d 1165, 1166 [2011]; Matter of Lewis v Cross, 72 AD3d 1228, 1229 [2010]; Matter of Commissioner of Social Servs. v Mason, 61 AD3d 1017, 1017 [2009]). *1041 McCarthy, J.P., Rose and Clark, JJ., concur. Ordered that the appeals are dismissed, as moot, without costs. Footnotes [*] Respondent’s motion for a stay pending appeal was denied by a Justice of this Court.