Maria E. Garcia
How Judge Garcia decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
636(c) consent Social-Security review: applies the deferential Second Circuit substantial-evidence standard and will not reweigh evidence ('whether substantial evidence supports the ALJ's decision', not the claimant's view); treats documented treatment noncompliance and post-onset academic/work activity as permissible credibility factors.
“once an ALJ finds facts, [a reviewing court] can reject those facts only if a reasonable factfinder would have to conclude otherwise.”
Procedural preferences
Expects a timely, carefully-considered Rule 26(f) report and usually defers to counsel's scheduling agreements; does not accept letter briefs or unauthorized sur-replies; resolves discovery disputes by telephonic conference (per her chambers practices). Requires Local Rule 7(b) good cause for extensions.
“Judge Garcia expects counsel to prepare and timely file a carefully considered 26(f) Report.”
Cautions
Prisoner/pro se IFP: a blanket-zero financial affidavit that does not explain how the applicant supports himself is incomplete and will not establish entitlement; she orders the applicant to cure or pay rather than granting on a bare form.
“it is insufficient to write "0.00" or "none" on every line of the financial statement; rather, the plaintiff must indicate with greater specificity the amount of his income, the value of his assets, and the extent of his liabilities.”
Motion outcomes
Counted from classified signed orders only. Percentages are shown only where the sample is large enough to be meaningful; smaller samples are reported as raw counts.
| Motion to reverse N = 2 |
Denied: 2 | counts only |
| Motion to affirm N = 2 |
Granted: 2 | counts only |
| Motion for leave to proceed ifp N = 1 |
Moot / procedural: 1 | counts only |
A "1 of 1" is one ruling, not a tendency. Treat small samples as illustrative, not predictive.
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Plaintiff's Motion for Order Reversing the Decision of the Commissioner or in the Alternative Motion for Remand for a Hearing is DENIED (ECF No. 22)”
“the Commissioner's Motion for an Order Affirming the Decision of the Commissioner is GRANTED (ECF No. 25). The Clerk of the Court will enter judgment in favor of Defendant.”
“the Recommended Ruling, ECF No. 23, is ADOPTED in its entirety ... Plaintiff's Motion to Reverse the Decision of the Commissioner, ECF No. 16, is DENIED”
“Defendant's Motion to Affirm the Commissioner's Decision, ECF No. 21, is GRANTED.”
“the Court orders that, by June 26, 2024, Plaintiff must either (a) pay the filing fee or (b) submit a revised financial affidavit that fully and candidly explains how he supports himself.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
Caseload read from search_dockets rows + the GovInfo orders. Consent SS dockets (e.g., Johnstone 3:24-cv-01818) are enumerable under 'Maria E. Garcia'; her referral R&R dockets are assigned to district judges.