Opinion
2012-10-25
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Appellant, v. Robert DePALMA, Respondent.
David E. Woodin, Catskill, for appellant. Terry J. Wilhelm, District Attorney, Catskill (Danielle D. McIntosh of counsel), for respondent.
David E. Woodin, Catskill, for appellant. Terry J. Wilhelm, District Attorney, Catskill (Danielle D. McIntosh of counsel), for respondent.
Before: PETERS, P.J., LAHTINEN, STEIN, GARRY and EGAN JR., JJ.
LAHTINEN, J.
Appeal from a judgment of the County Court of Greene County (Pulver Jr., J.), rendered June 7, 2011, convicting defendant upon his plea of guilty of the crimes of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal sale of marihuana in the third degree.
In satisfaction of an 11–count indictment, defendant pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal sale of marihuana in the third degree. As part of the plea agreement, he executed a waiver of his right to appeal. Prior to sentencing, he moved to withdraw his plea, arguing that his counsel failed to accurately advise him regarding the possible sentence he might face if convicted following a trial. County Court denied the motion and defendant was subsequently sentenced to consecutive prison terms of six years and 1 1/2 years, respectively. He now appeals, and we affirm.
Defendant contends that County Court improperly enhanced his bargained-for sentence by ordering that the two terms of imprisonment run consecutively rather than concurrently. Although this argument is not precluded by defendant's appeal waiver ( see People v. Nicholson, 50 A.D.3d 1397, 1398, 856 N.Y.S.2d 290 [2008],lv. denied11 N.Y.3d 834, 868 N.Y.S.2d 608, 897 N.E.2d 1092 [2008] ), it is unpreserved for our review as the record before us indicates that he did not move to withdraw his plea based upon the potential for an enhanced sentence, nor did he object at sentencing or move thereafter to vacate the judgment of conviction ( see People v. Haynes, 14 A.D.3d 789, 790–791, 788 N.Y.S.2d 469 [2005],lv. denied4 N.Y.3d 831, 796 N.Y.S.2d 586, 829 N.E.2d 679 [2005] ).
Defendant further argues that his counsel was ineffective in that he failed to explore alternatives to prison or to adequately explain the plea agreement to defendant. To the extent that this argument survives defendant's appeal waiver and is preserved by his motion to withdraw his plea, it is not supported by the record. Defendant's claim that his sentence is excessive is foreclosed by his valid appeal waiver ( see People v. Small, 82 A.D.3d 1451, 1452, 918 N.Y.S.2d 755 [2011],lv. denied17 N.Y.3d 801, 929 N.Y.S.2d 109, 952 N.E.2d 1104 [2011] ). His remaining contentions have been considered and found to be without merit.
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.