THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK RESPONDENT v. MARTIN POPE DEFENDANT APPELLANT (2016)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

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

Memorandum:  Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him following a jury trial of, inter alia, two counts of criminal contempt in the first degree (Penal Law § 215.51[b][iv] ).  Defendant “failed to preserve for our review [his] contention that County Court, in determining the sentence to be imposed, penalized [him] for exercising [his] right to a jury trial” (People v. Garner, 136 AD3d 1374, 1374, lv denied _ NY3d _ [Apr. 18, 2016];  see People v. Coapman, 90 AD3d 1681, 1683–1684, lv denied 18 NY3d 956).  In any event, that contention is without merit.  “The mere fact that a sentence imposed after trial is greater than that offered in connection with plea negotiations is not proof that defendant was punished for asserting [his] right to trial ․, and there is no indication in the record before us that the sentencing court acted in a vindictive manner based on defendant's exercise of the right to a trial” (Garner, 136 AD3d at 1374–1375 [internal quotation marks omitted] ).  Moreover, “[g]iven that the quid pro quo of the bargaining process will almost necessarily involve offers to moderate sentences that ordinarily would be greater, it is also to be anticipated that sentences handed out after trial may be more severe than those proposed in connection with a plea” (People v. Martinez, 26 NY3d 196, 200 [internal quotation marks omitted] ).  Finally, the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.

Frances E. Cafarell

Clerk of the Court