Opinion
570159/16
10-05-2021
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Abelardo PENA, Defendant-Appellant.
Per Curiam.
Judgment of conviction (Anthony I. Giacobbe, J.H.O.), rendered February 9, 2016, affirmed.
Since defendant did not waive prosecution by information, we assess the sufficiency of the accusatory instrument based on the standard applicable to an information (see People v Hatton , 26 NY3d 364, 368 [2015] ). So viewed, the information was jurisdictionally valid because it contained "nonconclusory factual allegations that, if assumed to be true, address[ed] each element of the crime charged, thereby affording reasonable cause to believe that defendant committed that offense" ( People v Middleton , 35 NY3d 952, 954 [2020], quoting People v Matthew P., 26 NY3d 332, 335-336 [2015] ). The information alleged that at a specified date and time, defendant "remove[d] two bottles of fragrance and one pair of shoes from a rack" inside a specified Century 21 store, then "conceal[ed] the items inside a bag" and "attempt[ed] to leave the store in possession of the property without paying for it." Contrary to defendant's claim, these allegations were nonconclusory and legally sufficient to charge defendant with petit larceny (see Penal Law § 155.25 ) and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree (see Penal Law § 165.40 ; People v Livingston , 150 AD3d 448 [2017], lv denied 29 NY3d 1093 [2017] ; see also People v Olivo , 52 NY3d 309, 318-319 [1981]).
Our review of the record indicates that defendant's plea was knowing, intelligent and voluntary. At the plea proceeding, defendant admitted he was pleading guilty freely and voluntarily, he had an opportunity to discuss his case with counsel, and waived specific constitutional rights, including the right to trial, to call witnesses, to question the People's witnesses and the right to remain silent (see People v Conceicao , 26 NY3d 375, 383 [2015] ). Defendant also executed a form acknowledging receipt of a written copy of the terms of the conditional discharge and its expiration date (see CPL 410.10[1] ; People v Valentin , 66 Misc 3d 136[A], 2020 NY Slip Op 50044[U][App Term, 1st Dept 2020], lv denied 35 NY3d 945 [2020] ) and his contention that the plea was invalid because he was not informed of the requirement of his conditional discharge that he lead a law-abiding life for one year is unavailing (see People v Rivera , 67 Misc 3d 140[A], 2020 NY Slip Op 50702[U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2020], lv denied 36 NY3d 931 [2020] ; People v Cecilio, 65 Misc 3d 148[A], 2019 NY Slip Op 51829[U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2019], lv denied 34 NY3d 1127 [2020] ).
Assuming in defendant's favor that the plea court was under a duty to inform him of the immigration consequences of his guilty plea to this class A misdemeanor, an issue left open in People v Peque , 22 NY3d 168, 197 n 9 (2013), cert denied sub nom. Thomas v New York , 574 US 840 (2014), a Peque hearing is not required in this particular case, inasmuch as it is highly unlikely, given the terms and circumstances of the plea, that defendant could make the requisite showing of prejudice under Peque if granted a hearing. In this regard, the accusatory instrument established, prima facie, defendant's commission of the charged class A misdemeanors for which he faced up to 364 days in prison if convicted after trial (see Penal Law § 70.15[1] ). By pleading guilty, defendant received an extremely favorable disposition, a sentence of two days community service. Defendant also had a lengthy criminal history, including some six prior petit larceny convictions. In the circumstances, it is highly unlikely that defendant, if granted a Peque hearing, could make the requisite showing that it was reasonably probable that he would have forgone the very favorable plea deal and instead insisted on going to trial had he been informed of the deportation consequences (see People v Olmedo , 149 AD3d 588 [2017], lv denied 29 NY3d 1084 [2017] ; People v Barry , 149 AD3d 494 [2017], lv denied 29 NY3d 1123 [2017] ).
Finally, we note that if defendant's guilty plea in this case actually results in immigration consequences, an issue that is far from clear at this juncture, he has a remedy pursuant to the newly enacted amendment to CPL 440.10(1)(j), which provides for a motion to vacate the conviction for a class A or unclassified misdemeanor based upon ongoing collateral consequences, including potential or actual immigration consequences (see CPL 440.10[1][j] ).
THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.
All concur.