PEOPLE v. WARDE (2007)

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Holdman, J.), rendered September 22, 2006, convicting him of criminal possession of a weapon in third degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is modified, on the law, by vacating the sentence imposed;  as so modified, the judgment is affirmed, and the matter is remitted to the Supreme Court, Kings County, for resentencing.

 The form signed by the defendant, which purported to constitute a waiver of his right to appeal, was insufficient to establish that he knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waived his right to appeal from his sentence on the ground of excessiveness (see People v. Hurd, 44 A.D.3d 791, 844 N.Y.S.2d 73;  People v. Hale, 30 A.D.3d 613, 614, 820 N.Y.S.2d 515).   We thus consider the defendant's contention that the sentence imposed was excessive.

 The excessiveness of the defendant's sentence involves several issues, including whether an enhanced sentence was properly imposed (see People v. Brown, 265 A.D.2d 486, 696 N.Y.S.2d 698, 700).   In order to impose an enhanced sentence based upon a post-plea arrest, the sentencing court must conduct an inquiry of “sufficient depth ․ so that the court can be satisfied-not of defendant's guilt of the new criminal charge but of the existence of a legitimate basis for the arrest on that charge” (People v. Outley, 80 N.Y.2d 702, 713, 594 N.Y.S.2d 683, 610 N.E.2d 356).   The fact that the defendant was indicted for a charge underlying the post-plea arrest is prima facie evidence that there is a legitimate basis for the arrest on that charge (see People v. Ricketts, 27 A.D.3d 488, 489, 811 N.Y.S.2d 103;  People v. Coleman, 266 A.D.2d 227, 697 N.Y.S.2d 683).   However, the defendant should still be afforded “the opportunity to speak” and present additional information with respect to the post-plea arrest if he or she chooses to do so (Coleman v. Rick, 281 F.Supp.2d 549, 558-559;  see People v. Maietta, 80 N.Y.2d 702, 714, 594 N.Y.S.2d 683, 610 N.E.2d 356;  People v. Henriques, 291 A.D.2d 290, 291, 737 N.Y.S.2d 293;  People v. Coleman, 266 A.D.2d 227, 697 N.Y.S.2d 683;  People v. Santana, 254 A.D.2d 152, 679 N.Y.S.2d 293).   In the instant case, the defendant attempted to speak but was not afforded that opportunity.   Accordingly, we vacate the sentence imposed and remit the matter to the Supreme Court, Kings County, to provide the defendant with an opportunity to speak and for resentencing thereafter.

At sentencing, the defendant did not raise the question of youthful offender treatment, however, and therefore that issue is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Miles, 244 A.D.2d 433, 434, 664 N.Y.S.2d 79).

In light of our determination, we need not reach the question of whether the duration of the sentence imposed was excessive.