AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Docket Number
Attorney(S)
Judges
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Docket Number
Attorney(S)
Judges

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. MARK T. CARTER, Appellant.

Stein, J.

In satisfaction of a three-count indictment, defendant pleaded guilty to one count of assault in the second degree and waived his right to appeal. During the plea allocution, County Court inquired if defendant had discussed a possible intoxication defense with counsel and defendant indicated that he had. County Court accepted defendant's guilty plea. Upon defendant's subsequent admission, County Court ultimately found that he had violated the terms of the plea agreement and imposed an enhanced 5½-year prison term with postrelease supervision. Defendant thereafter unsuccessfully moved to vacate the judgment of conviction and to set aside his sentence. Defendant appeals from both the judgment of conviction and the amended order denying his CPL article 440 motion.

We affirm. Defendant argues that his plea was not knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily entered, claiming that County Court did not adequately explore his potential intoxication defense. Despite defendant's guilty plea and appeal waiver, such a claim remains reviewable ( see People v Maldonado, 254 AD2d 574; People v Osgood, 254 AD2d 571, 572-573). Nonetheless, County Court satisfied its duty of further inquiry by advising defendant that a potential intoxication defense existed and assuring that defendant had discussed the issue with counsel and that he was satisfied with counsel's representation ( see People v Sterling, 57 AD3d 1110, 1112; People v Munck, 278 AD2d 662, 663; People v Moore, 270 AD2d 715, 716, lv denied 95 NY2d 800; People v Williamson, 165 AD2d 686). Accordingly, we are satisfied that defendant's guilty plea was knowing, intelligent and voluntary ( see People v Moore, 270 AD2d at 716).

We have examined defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit.

Kane, J. (dissenting).

Because County Court failed to conduct any further inquiry when defendant indicated a potential intoxication defense, his waiver of that defense was not knowing and his plea was therefore not knowing and voluntary. During the plea colloquy, in response to the court's question whether defendant had discussed any possible defenses with his attorney, including intoxication, defendant replied in the affirmative but also stated, "I was drinking." Defendant's statement raised the possibility of an intoxication defense, obligating the court to inquire whether defendant was aware of the defense and be sure that he was knowingly and intelligently waiving it ( see People v Lopez, 71 NY2d 662, 666; People v Sterling, 57 AD3d 1110, 1112). As the court did not conduct any further inquiry after defendant alluded to this potential defense — which could negate the intent element of the crime — I cannot conclude that his waiver of this defense and, thus, his plea were knowing, intelligent and voluntary ( see People v Osgood, 254 AD2d 571, 572; People v Braman, 136 AD2d 382, 384-385, lv denied 72 NY2d 911). Therefore, his judgment of conviction should be reversed and his plea vacated.

Ordered that the judgment and amended order are affirmed.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

PEOPLE v. CARTER
(May 21, 2009)