X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Leah R. Nowotarski, Public Defender, Warsaw (Fares A. Rumi of Counsel), for Defendant-Appellant. Donald G. O’Geen, District Attorney, Warsaw (Chelsie Hamilton of Counsel), for Respondent. Appeal from an order of the Wyoming County Court (Michael M. Mohun, J.), dated February 22, 2023. The order determined that defendant is a level three risk pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act. It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: On appeal from an order determining that he is a level three risk pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (Correction Law § 168 et seq.), defendant contends that County Court erred in treating his presumptive level three classification as mandatory. We reject that contention. Based on his prior conviction of a felony sex crime, defendant was subject to an “automatic override[ ], the application of which will result in a presumptive risk assessment of level three” (People v. Howard, 27 NY3d 337, 341 [2016]). Here, the court properly applied the automatic override, and properly determined that it created a presumption of, but not mandatory classification as, a level three risk (see People v. Edmonds, 133 AD3d 1332, 1332-1333 [4th Dept 2015], lv denied 26 NY3d 918 [2016]). Indeed, after recognizing the presumption, the court explicitly considered and rejected defendant’s request for a downward departure (cf. People v. Douglas, 199 AD3d 1330, 1331 [4th Dept 2021]). Contrary to defendant’s further contention, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying his request for a downward departure. Here, each of the mitigating circumstances alleged by defendant was ” ‘of a kind or to a degree . . . adequately taken into account by the [risk assessment g]uidelines’ ” (People v. Johnson, 218 AD3d 1363, 1364 [4th Dept 2023], quoting People v. Gillotti, 23 NY3d 841, 861 [2014]; see People v. Jewell, 119 AD3d 1446, 1448-1449 [4th Dept 2014], lv denied 24 NY3d 905 [2014]; see generally Howard, 27 NY3d at 342). In light of our determination, we do not reach defendant’s alternative contention that the court erred in its initial assessment of points before the application of the presumptive override (see People v. Krembel, 150 AD3d 1702, 1703 [4th Dept 2017], lv denied 29 NY3d 916 [2017]).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More

Cullen and Dykman is seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of 5+ years in insurance coverage experience as well as risk transfer and ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP is actively seeking a midlevel insurance coverage associate for its Newark, NJ and/or Philadelphia, PA offices. ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP, a well established and growing law firm, is actively seeking a talented and driven associate having 2-5 years o...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›