The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals has dismissed an appeal by Kedwin J. Rivera Méndez regarding the calculation of bonuses by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR). The ruling, issued on April 23, 2026, means Rivera Méndez will not receive the bonuses he claimed were due to him under DCR regulations. This decision impacts individuals in similar situations who may seek to challenge administrative decisions regarding their benefits.

The case, identified as TA2026RA00203, arose after Rivera Méndez disagreed with the DCR's calculation of his bonuses related to a sentence he is serving. The court's ruling emphasizes the importance of adhering to procedural timelines and requirements when appealing administrative decisions.

Background

Kedwin J. Rivera Méndez filed his appeal after the DCR issued a “Hoja Central sobre Liquidación de Sentencia” (Central Sheet on Sentence Settlement) on July 22, 2025. Rivera Méndez disagreed with this determination and submitted an “Solicitud de Remedio Administrativo” (Request for Administrative Remedy) on September 4, 2025. However, the DCR denied his request two months later.

On October 24, 2025, Rivera Méndez sought reconsideration of the DCR’s decision, but this was also denied on November 24, 2025. Dissatisfied with the outcome, he filed a judicial review on April 20, 2026, asking the court to overturn the DCR's decision regarding his bonuses.

The Ruling

The court ruled that Rivera Méndez’s appeal was dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction. The judges on the panel included Judge Rivera Colón, Judge Monge Gómez, and Judge Prats Palerm, with Judge Monge Gómez writing the opinion. The court stated, “El incumplimiento del Recurrente con los requisitos reglamentarios exigidos para el perfeccionamiento del recurso de revisión judicial también nos priva de jurisdicción para atender los planteamientos señalados en el recurso,” which translates to “The Recurrent's failure to comply with the regulatory requirements for perfecting the judicial review also deprives us of jurisdiction to address the issues raised in the appeal.”

Additionally, the court found that Rivera Méndez had filed his appeal outside the thirty-day deadline established by the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act (LPAU). They noted that he had until December 24, 2025, to file his appeal, but he did not do so until April 20, 2026. The court emphasized that “la presentación tardía” (the late filing) and the lack of required documentation prevented them from considering the merits of the case.

Impact

This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to procedural rules when appealing administrative decisions in Puerto Rico. It highlights that failure to meet deadlines or provide necessary documentation can result in the dismissal of appeals, regardless of the underlying claims. This decision may serve as a precedent for future cases where individuals seek to challenge administrative actions, emphasizing the strict adherence to timelines and requirements.

Individuals and legal representatives in Puerto Rico must be vigilant about filing deadlines and the completeness of their documentation to ensure their cases are heard. This ruling may deter some from pursuing similar appeals if they are not fully prepared to meet the procedural requirements.

What's Next

It is unclear if Rivera Méndez plans to appeal this decision to a higher court. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any related cases or further actions he may take.