PEOPLE v. RIVERA (2021)

Judgment of conviction (Shahabuddeen A. Ally, J.), rendered August 5, 2019, affirmed.

Our review of the record as a whole demonstrates that defendant's guilty plea was knowing, intelligent and voluntary (see People v Conceicao, 26 NY3d 375, 383 [2015]; People v Sougou, 26 NY3d 1052 [2015]). Under the facts presented, the court was not required to conduct a sua sponte inquiry into defendant's medical condition. Defendant was rational and coherent throughout the plea proceedings, wherein he capably responded to the questions put to him, and gave no indication of mental impairment (see People v Ward, 168 AD3d 432 [2019], lv denied 33 NY3d 955 [2019]; People v Rodriguez, 83 AD3d 449 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 800 [2011]). Furthermore, defendant's counsel, who was in the best position to assess defendant's capacity, did not raise any issue with respect to his health and fitness to proceed (see People v Ragin, 136 AD3d 426, 427 [2016], lv denied 27 NY3d 1074 [2016]).

In any event, the only relief defendant requests is dismissal of the accusatory instrument, and he expressly requests that this Court affirm his conviction if it does not grant dismissal. Since dismissal is not warranted, we affirm on this basis as well (see People v Conceicao, 26 NY3d at 385 n; People v Teron, 139 AD3d 450 [2016]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.

Per Curiam.

All concur.