IN RE: ROBERT H. (2025)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.

Memorandum: Petitioner appeals from an order, entered after an annual review hearing pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law § 10.09 (d), determining that he is a dangerous sex offender requiring confinement under section 10.03 (e) and directing that he continue to be confined to a secure treatment facility (see § 10.09 [h]). Petitioner contends that he was denied effective assistance of counsel at the hearing. Inasmuch as petitioner “ ‘is subject to civil confinement, the standard for determining whether effective assistance of counsel was provided in criminal matters is applicable here’ ” (Matter of State of New York v Robert T., 214 AD3d 1405, 1406 [4th Dept 2023], lv denied 41 NY3d 902 [2024]). Contrary to his contention, however, we conclude that petitioner failed to meet “his burden on appeal to demonstrate the absence of strategic or other legitimate explanations for his attorney's alleged deficiencies” (Matter of State of New York v Steven A., 193 AD3d 1344, 1345 [4th Dept 2021], lv denied 37 NY3d 911 [2021]; see Matter of State of New York v Juan U., 187 AD3d 1606, 1608 [4th Dept 2020], lv denied 36 NY3d 906 [2021]). Rather, “viewing the evidence, the law, and the circumstances of this case as a whole and at the time of the representation,” we conclude that petitioner received effective assistance of counsel (Matter of State of New York v Parrott, 125 AD3d 1438, 1440 [4th Dept 2015], lv denied 25 NY3d 911 [2015]; see Juan U., 187 AD3d at 1609).

Entered: May 2, 2025

Ann Dillon Flynn

Clerk of the Court