Opinion
2012-04-20
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Salvatore GIANNI, Defendant–Appellant. (Appeal No. 1).
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Syracuse (Christine M. Cook of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Salvatore Gianni, Defendant–Appellant Pro Se.
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society, Syracuse (Christine M. Cook of Counsel), for Defendant–Appellant. Salvatore Gianni, Defendant–Appellant Pro Se. William J. Fitzpatrick, District Attorney, Syracuse (Victoria M. White of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: SMITH, J.P., FAHEY, PERADOTTO, AND LINDLEY, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
In appeal No. 1, defendant appeals from a judgment revoking the sentence of probation previously imposed upon his conviction of criminal contempt in the first degree (Penal Law § 215.51[b][v] ) and imposing a sentence of imprisonment based on his violation of the terms and conditions of his probation. In appeal No. 2, defendant appeals from a judgment revoking the sentence of probation previously imposed upon his conviction of felony driving while intoxicated (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192[3]; 1193[1][c] [former (i) ] ) and imposing a sentence of imprisonment based on his violation of the terms and conditions of his probation.
With respect to both appeals, defendant contends in his pro se supplemental brief that County Court failed to comply with the procedures for a probation violation hearing set forth in CPL 410.70 and that he was thereby deprived of due process. Defendant failed to preserve that contention for our review ( see generally People v. Randall, 48 A.D.3d 1080, 849 N.Y.S.2d 843; People v. Ebert, 18 A.D.3d 963, 964, 794 N.Y.S.2d 733; People v. Zaborowski, 16 A.D.3d 1058, 1058, 792 N.Y.S.2d 755, lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 772, 801 N.Y.S.2d 266, 834 N.E.2d 1276) and, in any event, defendant's contention is without merit ( see generally Randall, 48 A.D.3d 1080, 849 N.Y.S.2d 843; Ebert, 18 A.D.3d at 964, 794 N.Y.S.2d 733). To the extent that defendant contends he was denied effective assistance of counsel because defense counsel failed to advise him of his rights relative to the probation revocation hearing, that contention involves matters outside the record on appeal and must be raised by way of a motion pursuant to CPL article 440 ( see People v. Johnson, 81 A.D.3d 1428, 1428, 917 N.Y.S.2d 487, lv. denied 16 N.Y.3d 896, 926 N.Y.S.2d 31, 949 N.E.2d 979; People v. Balenger, 70 A.D.3d 1318, 1318, 895 N.Y.S.2d 623, lv. denied 14 N.Y.3d 885, 903 N.Y.S.2d 773, 929 N.E.2d 1008). With respect to the remaining instances of alleged ineffective assistance of counsel, we conclude based on the record before us that defendant received meaningful representation ( see generally People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400; People v. Haas, 245 A.D.2d 825, 826, 666 N.Y.S.2d 324).
Defendant failed to preserve for our review the further contention in his pro se supplemental brief that the court “erred in failing to order an updated presentence report before sentencing him following the revocation of probation” ( People v. Carey, 86 A.D.3d 925, 925, 926 N.Y.S.2d 791, lv. denied 17 N.Y.3d 814, 929 N.Y.S.2d 803, 954 N.E.2d 94). In any event, that contention is without merit inasmuch as the declarations of delinquency, the violation of probation reports and the testimony and documentary evidence produced at the revocation hearing “ constituted the functional equivalent of an updated [presentence] report” ( id. at 925, 926 N.Y.S.2d 791 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see People v. Fairman, 38 A.D.3d 1346, 1347, 832 N.Y.S.2d 703, lv. denied 9 N.Y.3d 865, 840 N.Y.S.2d 894, 872 N.E.2d 1200; People v. Bennett, 269 A.D.2d 401, 704 N.Y.S.2d 95, lv. denied 94 N.Y.2d 916, 708 N.Y.S.2d 355, 729 N.E.2d 1154). Further, inasmuch as the same judge presided over both the original proceedings and the revocation proceedings, “[t]he court was fully familiar with any changes in defendant's status, conduct or condition since the original sentencing” ( Carey, 86 A.D.3d at 925, 926 N.Y.S.2d 791 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see also People v. Pomales, 37 A.D.3d 1098, 1098–1099, 828 N.Y.S.2d 828, lv. denied 8 N.Y.3d 949, 836 N.Y.S.2d 559, 868 N.E.2d 242).
Contrary to the contention of defendant in his main and pro se supplemental briefs, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe, particularly in light of defendant's history of unsuccessful probation attempts, his lengthy criminal record and his failure to control his alcohol consumption, despite many treatment referrals and three alcohol-related convictions ( see e.g. People v. Hunter, 62 A.D.3d 1207, 1208, 879 N.Y.S.2d 626; People v. Smith, 301 A.D.2d 744, 745, 753 N.Y.S.2d 241). Further, “[g]iven the fact that defendant was initially allowed to plead to ... reduced charge[s] and failed to abide by the favorable conditions of the plea, and taking into consideration his criminal behavior in violating his probation, we [discern] no abuse of discretion or extraordinary circumstances warranting a reduction of the sentence in the interest of justice” ( People v. Feliciano, 54 A.D.3d 1131, 1132–1133, 864 N.Y.S.2d 221; see People v. Gurrola, 43 A.D.3d 1230, 1231, 841 N.Y.S.2d 718; People v. Grignon, 186 A.D.2d 296, 587 N.Y.S.2d 454, lv. denied 81 N.Y.2d 789, 594 N.Y.S.2d 735, 610 N.E.2d 408).
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.