PEOPLE v. VICTOR (2025)

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Michael D. Kitsis, J.), rendered September 9, 2022, convicting him of criminal possession of a firearm, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

Contrary to the defendant's contention, his waiver of the right to appeal was valid.  Although much of the discussion of the waiver of the right to appeal took place after the defendant had admitted his guilt, the appeal waiver was mentioned as being a condition of the plea bargain prior to the defendant's plea of guilty and admission of guilt.  Thus, it cannot be said that the defendant “received no material benefit from his appeal waiver,” or that the appeal waiver “was a gratuitous, after-the-fact additional demand asserted after the bargain had already been struck” (People v. Sutton, 184 AD3d 236, 245;  see People v. Bryant, 28 NY3d 1094, 1095–1096;  People v. Williams, 227 AD3d 480, 481).  Under the totality of the circumstances, including the exemplary explanation of the right to appeal provided to the defendant and the defendant's age, experience, and background, the waiver was knowing, voluntary, and intelligent (see People v. Sanders, 25 NY3d 337, 340;  People v. Bradshaw, 18 NY3d 257, 264).

The defendant's valid waiver of his right to appeal precludes appellate review of his contention that Penal Law § 265.01–b is unconstitutional in light of New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v Bruen (597 U.S. 1) (see People v. Johnson, 225 AD3d 453, 453–454;  People v. Fisher, 121 AD3d 1013;  but see People v. Benjamin, 216 AD3d 1457), as well as his contention that his sentence was excessive (see People v. Lopez, 6 NY3d 248, 256).

LASALLE, P.J., GENOVESI, TAYLOR and HOM, JJ., concur.