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. DEAN TUSZYNSKI, DEFENDANT–APPELLANT.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.
Memorandum: On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of, inter alia, driving while intoxicated as a class D felony (Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 1192[3]; 1193[1][c][ii] ) and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree (§ 511[3][a][i] ), defendant contends that the verdict with respect to those counts is contrary to the weight of the evidence with respect to the issue of intoxication. We reject that contention.
We note at the outset that the conviction of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree does not require proof of intoxication, and we thus reject defendant's contention with respect to that crime. Unlike the driving while intoxicated count, which requires proof that defendant was intoxicated (see Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192[3] ), the aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree count may be sustained upon proof that defendant was driving while his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired pursuant to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192(1) (see People v. Gelster, 256 A.D.2d 1133, 1133; see e.g. People v. Kaminski, 109 AD3d 1186, 1186, lv denied 22 NY3d 1088; People v. DeCarlis, 37 AD3d 1040, 1040, lv denied 8 NY3d 945), and it is well settled that a “ ‘[c]onviction of [that] offense [does] not require proof of intoxication, but only [requires proof] that defendant's driving ability was impaired to any extent’ “ by the consumption of alcohol (People v. McDonald, 27 AD3d 949, 950). Here, defendant concedes in his brief that the weight of the evidence supports a finding that his driving ability was impaired by his consumption of alcohol.
In any event, we conclude that the verdict is not against the weight of the evidence on the issue of intoxication. “Where, as here, witness credibility is of paramount importance to the determination of guilt or innocence, we must give great deference to the jury, given its opportunity to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor” (People v. Streeter, 118 AD3d 1287, 1288 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see People v. Roman, 107 AD3d 1441, 1442–1443, lv denied 21 NY3d 1045; People v. Scott, 107 AD3d 1635, 1636, lv denied 21 NY3d 1077). “Viewing the evidence in a neutral light and weighing the probative value of the conflicting testimony and the conflicting inferences that could be drawn, while deferring to the jurors' ability to observe the witnesses and assess their credibility, aided by the video recording, we find that it was not contrary to the weight of the credible evidence for the jury to find that defendant” was intoxicated (People v. Purvis, 90 AD3d 1339, 1341, lv. denied 18 NY3d 997; see generally People v. Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495).
Defendant further contends that the persistent felony offender statutory scheme is unconstitutional in light of the rule in Apprendi v. New Jersey (530 U.S. 466). To the contrary, it is well settled that Penal Law § 70.10 and CPL 400.20 are constitutional (see People v. Battles, 16 NY3d 54, 59, cert denied _ U.S. _, 132 S Ct 123; People v. Quinones, 12 NY3d 116, 122–131, cert denied 558 U.S. 821). Finally, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.
Frances E. Cafarell
Clerk of the Court
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.
Docket No: KA 11–01210
Decided: September 26, 2014
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth 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)