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. Ramon JIMENEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Lewis Bart Stone, J.), rendered June 26, 2008, convicting defendant, after a jury trial, of burglary in the second degree, and sentencing him, as a second felony offender, to a term of 6 years, unanimously affirmed.
The court properly declined to submit second-degree trespass to the jury as a lesser included offense. A surveillance videotape makes clear that there was no reasonable view of the evidence, viewed most favorably to defendant, that he entered the victim's apartment without criminal intent and formed an intent to steal only once he was inside (see People v. Zokari, 68 AD3d 578 [2009], lv denied 15 NY3d 758 [2010] ).
Assuming, without deciding, that the court was required to comply with the procedural requirements set forth in People v. O'Rama (78 N.Y.2d 270, 277-278 [1991] ) when the jury sent a note stating it had reached a partial verdict, we find that the court fulfilled its “core responsibility” under People v. Kisoon (8 NY3d 129, 135 [2007] ). The court disclosed the note to counsel, announced its intention to take the partial verdict, and did nothing to prevent counsel from suggesting any other course of action. Accordingly, there was no mode of proceedings error exempt from preservation requirements (see People v. Starling, 85 N.Y.2d 509, 516 [1995] ). We decline to review defendant's unpreserved claim in the interest of justice. As an alternative holding, we find no basis for reversal. Defense counsel was evidently satisfied when the court accepted the partial verdict and immediately dismissed the remaining count, upon which the jury had failed to agree. Accordingly, counsel had no reason to provide any additional input.
Defendant also raises claims regarding the court's acceptance and the jury's rendition of the partial verdict. These claims do not fall into the “very narrow category” of “mode of proceedings” errors exempt from the preservation requirement (see People v. Kelly, 5 NY3d 116, 119 [2005] ). We decline to review these unpreserved arguments in the interest of justice. As an alternative holding, we also reject them on the merits.
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: March 01, 2011
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)