The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals dismissed an appeal by Alberto González Pagán due to a lack of jurisdiction. This ruling, issued on September 14, 2026, affects González Pagán, who is currently confined and sought to challenge a decision made by the Department of Corrección y Rehabilitación (DCR). The court's decision underscores the importance of adhering to procedural rules when filing appeals.

González Pagán filed his appeal after the DCR rejected his request for administrative remedies on June 2, 2026. The DCR deemed his request repetitive and subsequently reiterated this decision on July 13, 2026. Following this, González Pagán sought judicial review, but the court found his appeal insufficiently grounded in legal requirements.

Background

Alberto González Pagán is the appellant in this case, representing himself in forma pauperis, which means he is seeking legal relief without the financial means to pay for legal representation. The DCR, the respondent, is the agency responsible for overseeing correctional facilities and rehabilitation programs in Puerto Rico.

The dispute arose when González Pagán submitted a request for administrative remedies to the DCR, which was dismissed as repetitive. After an unsuccessful reconsideration request, he filed for judicial review, leading to the court's examination of his appeal.

The Ruling

The court ruled that González Pagán's appeal was not subject to review due to a lack of jurisdiction. The ruling stated, "the absence of jurisdiction is insubsanable," meaning that the court cannot rectify the lack of jurisdiction once it is established. The judges on the panel included Judge Rodríguez Casillas, Judge Rodríguez Flores, and Judge Díaz Rivera, who authored the opinion.

The court noted that González Pagán failed to meet the necessary procedural requirements for his appeal. Specifically, he did not include essential documents such as his original request for administrative remedies or a concise statement of errors he believed the DCR committed. The court emphasized, "the absence of the documents that compose the appendix, as well as a brief and concise statement of error, deprives us of jurisdiction to address the appeal."

Impact

This ruling highlights the critical importance of following procedural rules in legal proceedings. For individuals seeking to appeal decisions made by administrative agencies, this case serves as a reminder that failing to comply with specific filing requirements can lead to dismissal, regardless of the merits of the case.

The decision may also have broader implications for other inmates or individuals challenging administrative decisions in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the necessity for proper legal representation or guidance to navigate the complexities of the legal system effectively.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether González Pagán plans to appeal this decision or if there are any related cases pending. However, given the ruling's emphasis on jurisdictional requirements, any future attempts to appeal would need to address the deficiencies noted by the court.