PEOPLE v. ORSINI (2008)

Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of rape in the second degree (Penal Law § 130.30[1] ) and criminal sexual act in the second degree (§ 130.45[1] ).   We reject the contention of defendant that he was denied effective assistance of counsel based upon, inter alia, defense counsel's failure to challenge the voluntariness of his statement to the police and the validity of his consent to search his residence.   Defendant's omnibus motion sought suppression of defendant's statement, and the failure to challenge the search of defendant's residence is of no moment because it is undisputed that defendant's girlfriend, who resided with defendant, validly consented to the search (see People v. Rivera, 206 A.D.2d 832, 615 N.Y.S.2d 196).   Thus, a challenge to the validity of the consent of defendant to search his residence “was not warranted by the facts of this case,” and the failure to assert such a challenge necessarily does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel (People v. Howard, 37 A.D.3d 494, 495, 827 N.Y.S.2d 883, lv. denied 9 N.Y.3d 866, 840 N.Y.S.2d 895, 872 N.E.2d 1201).   The record establishes that defense counsel otherwise provided meaningful representation (see generally People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137, 147, 444 N.Y.S.2d 893, 429 N.E.2d 400).   Finally, the bargained-for sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.

It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM: