People v. Klein

Jan 29, 2015
105917
Versions:124 A.D.3d 1143
998 N.Y.S.2d 676

Clark, J. In satisfaction of a five-count indictment, defendant pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in the third degree and waived his right to appeal. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he was to be sentenced as a second felony offender to 1 1/2 to 3 years in prison. He was advised that, if he did not appear for sentencing and lacked a legitimate excuse for his absence, he could be sentenced in absentia to 2 to 4 years in prison. County Court adjourned sentencing twice. Thereafter, defense counsel made two more requests for adjournments, the first of which was based on defendant‘s need to resolve pending legal matters and the second of which was based on him having left Cortland County for work and having no ability to return. County Court denied those requests and, when defendant did not appear, sentenced him in absentia to 2 to 4 years in prison. Defendant now appeals.

We affirm. Defendant argues that County Court abused its discretion in sentencing him in absentia to an enhanced sentence, a claim that survives defendant‘s appeal waiver (see People v Brown, 101 AD3d 1267, 1268 [2012], lv denied 21 NY3d 1014 [2013], cert denied 571 US —, 134 S Ct 938 [2014]; People v Hall, 78 AD3d 1328, 1328 [2010]). Turning to the merits, defendant waived his right to be present at sentencing when he failed to appear, despite having been warned of the potential consequences of doing so (see People v Brown, 101 AD3d at 1268; People v Horan, 72 AD3d 1289, 1289-1290 [2010]). County Court then considered the proffered reason for defendant‘s absence and found it to be unpersuasive. Under the circumstances of this case, we cannot say that County Court abused its discretion by sentencing defendant in absentia to an enhanced sentence (see People v Brown, 101 AD3d at 1268; People v Haran, 72 AD3d at 1289-1290; People v Torra, 8 AD3d 751, 751-752 [2004]).

McCarthy, J.P., Garry, Lynch and Devine, JJ., concur. Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.