Summary
stating "[d]efendant's sworn statement raises a factual issue that requires a hearing" where "[defendant's submissions `tend to substantiate all the essential facts' necessary to support defendant's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel"
Summary of this case from Rosa v. HerbertOpinion
February 16, 2000
Appeal from Order of Erie County Court, D'Amico, J. — CPL art 440.
PRESENT: PINE, J. P., HURLBUTT, SCUDDER AND LAWTON, JJ.
Order unanimously reversed on the law and matter remitted to Erie County Court for further in accordance with the following Memorandum:
County erred in denying without a hearing the motion of defendant pursuant to CPL 440.10 (1) (h) to vacate his conviction on the ground that he was denied his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel. Defendant's submissions "tend to substantiate all the essential facts" necessary to support defendant's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel (CPL 440.30 [b]). Specifically, defendant asserts that trial counsel failed to relay a plea offer to him and that he was prejudiced thereby because he would have accepted the offer. That assertion supports his contention that he was denied meaningful representation ( see, People v. Alexander, 136 Misc.2d 573, 584-585; see also, United States v. Gordon, 156 F.3d 376, 379-380; Boria v. Keane, 99 F.3d 492, cert denied 521 U.S. 1118). Defendant's sworn statement raises a factual issue that requires a hearing. Consequently, we reverse the order and remit the matter to Erie County Court to conduct a hearing on defendant's motion.