Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Lamar WILLIAMS, Defendant-Appellant.
Judgment, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Steven Barrett, J.), rendered September 16, 1997, convicting defendant, after a jury trial, of robbery in the second degree, and sentencing him to a term of 3 1/313 to 10 years, unanimously affirmed.
Since defendant's argument at trial was on a different ground than raised on appeal, his present claim that the court had no authority to reinstate a discharged juror is unpreserved for appellate review (see, People v. Graves, 85 N.Y.2d 1024, 630 N.Y.S.2d 972, 654 N.E.2d 1220), and we decline to review it in the interest of justice. Were we to review this claim, we would find that the court properly revoked its decision to discharge the juror and immediately reinstated her, when, only moments after discharging the juror because of her apparent failure to appear, the court learned that the juror had in fact arrived. The trial court properly exercised its inherent power to correct its error (see, People v. Minaya, 54 N.Y.2d 360, 445 N.Y.S.2d 690, 429 N.E.2d 1161; see also, People v. Dawkins, 82 N.Y.2d 226, 604 N.Y.S.2d 34, 624 N.E.2d 162).
Since matters beyond the existing record are crucial to defendant's ineffective assistance of counsel claim in this case, the claim is unreviewable on this appeal.
We have considered and rejected defendant's remaining claims.
MEMORANDUM DECISION.
Thank you for your feedback!
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: June 27, 2000
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)