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PEOPLE of State of New York, respondent, v. Belmont HAMMONDS, appellant.
Appeal by the defendant from an order of the County Court, Westchester County (R. Bellantoni, J.), entered January 27, 2005, which, after a re-determination hearing pursuant to Correction Law article 6-C and upon the stipulation of settlement in Doe v. Pataki, 3 F.Supp.2d 456, designated him a level three sex offender.
ORDERED that the order is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.
The County Court providently exercised its discretion in assessing 105 points, instead of the 110 points requested by the People (see People v. Masters, 19 A.D.3d 387, 796 N.Y.S.2d 133, lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 709, 803 N.Y.S.2d 30, 836 N.E.2d 1153; People v. Douglas, 18 A.D.3d 967, 968, 794 N.Y.S.2d 730, lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 710, 804 N.Y.S.2d 34, 837 N.E.2d 733). This assessment resulted in a presumptive level 2 classification under the Sex Offender Registration Act, and is supported by clear and convincing evidence (see People v. Hitt, 7 A.D.3d 813, 776 N.Y.S.2d 886). The County Court also providently exercised its discretion in making an upward departure from the presumptive level two adjudication (see People v. Dexter, 21 A.D.3d 403, 404, 799 N.Y.S.2d 807, lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 716, 807 N.Y.S.2d 16, 840 N.E.2d 1030). The defendant's bizarre behavior for two days after the sexual offense occurred, together with evidence of post-parole arrests and convictions and an alleged history of sexual abuse noted in the pre-sentence report, demonstrated the requisite aggravating factors warranting an upward departure to a level three designation (see People v. O'Flaherty, 23 A.D.3d 237, 806 N.Y.S.2d 11, lv. denied 6 N.Y.3d 705, 812 N.Y.S.2d 34, 845 N.E.2d 466 [Feb. 9, 2006] ). The defendant did not demonstrate evidence of any circumstances that would warrant a downward departure (see People v. Valentine, 15 A.D.3d 463, 789 N.Y.S.2d 430).
The defendant's contentions raised in point two of his brief as to notice of upward departure are unpreserved for appellate review, and his remaining contentions in point two are without merit (see People v. Myers, 306 A.D.2d 334, 760 N.Y.S.2d 681).
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Decided: March 07, 2006
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department, New York.
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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.
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