People v. Dion

Decision Date29 April 1999
Citation93 N.Y.2d 893,689 N.Y.S.2d 685
Parties, 711 N.E.2d 963, 1999 N.Y. Slip Op. 3790 The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Gerald DION, Jr., Appellant.
CourtNew York Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
OPINION OF THE COURT MEMORANDUM:

The order of the County Court should be affirmed.

Defendant was convicted of criminal mischief in the fourth degree and petit larceny, both Class A misdemeanors (Penal Law §§ 145.00, 155.25). On March 13, 1996, the People commenced an action against defendant for criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony (Penal Law § 145.05), and petit larceny (Penal Law § 155.25), a class A misdemeanor. Defendant was arraigned on March 29, 1996.

On May 14, 1996, the People stated on the record that they were ready to proceed to trial. The People also moved to reduce the felony charge of criminal mischief in the third degree to the misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief in the fourth degree. The defendant and the court consented to the reduction. Nevertheless, no reduction was accomplished because the court did not conform to the requirements of CPL 180.50. The charge was not properly reduced until October 15, 1996, at which time the People continued to assert their readiness for trial.

Defendant argues that because the felony charge continued until properly reduced on October 15--more than six months after the action was commenced--the People did not make a timely assertion of their readiness for trial and CPL 30.30 was violated (see, CPL 30.30[c] ). Thus, defendant contends that his conviction should be overturned and the action dismissed. We agree with the conclusion of the County Court that six months cannot be charged to the People in view of defendant's numerous pre-trial motions and five changes of attorney (CPL 30.30[a],[f] ). In addition, when the People answered ready on May 14, 1996, their readiness included the misdemeanor charge of petit larceny. That unreduced charge was unaffected by the procedural mechanics of CPL 180.50.

Defendant's remaining contention is without merit.

Chief Judge KAYE and Judges BELLACOSA, SMITH, LEVINE, CIPARICK, WESLEY and ROSENBLATT concur.

Order affirmed, in a memorandum.

To continue reading

Request your trial
14 cases
  • People v. Nazarov
    • United States
    • New York Criminal Court
    • March 22, 2017
    ...People could be ready for trial."In further support of their position, the People rely on the Court of Appeals' decision in People v. Dion, 93 N.Y.2d 893 [1999]. In Dion, the defendant was originally arraigned on a felony complaint charging him with Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a ......
  • People v. Chernek
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Term
    • June 15, 2017
    ...the requirements of CPL 180.50(3)(a)(iii). Consequently, defendant asserts that no reduction was accomplished, citing People v. Dion, 93 N.Y.2d 893, 894, 689 N.Y.S.2d 685, 711 N.E.2d 963 (1999). Defendant's contention lacks merit. CPL § 180.50(3)(a)(iii) requires that the court make notatio......
  • People v. Kamara
    • United States
    • New York Criminal Court
    • June 16, 2016
    ...17 Misc.3d 165 (Crim Ct, Kings County 2007) ; People v. Brooks, 180 Misc.2d 987 (Crim Ct, Bronx County 1999). In People v. Dion, 93 N.Y.2d 893 (1999), the defendant was charged with Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and Petit Larceny. On May 14, 1996, the People declared their readiness......
  • People v. Cates
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Term
    • July 21, 2015
    ...positioned” to go to trial (People v. Terry, 225 A.D.2d 306, 307 [1996], lv denied 88 N.Y.2d 886 [1996] ; see also People v. Dion, 93 N.Y.2d 893 [1999] ). It need be emphasized that speedy trial analysis “must, as a matter of course, often involve distinct considerations with respect to ind......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT