PEOPLE v. BECKFORD (2025)

DECISION & ORDER

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Dutchess County (Edward T. McLoughlin, J.), rendered March 9, 2022, convicting him of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The record demonstrates that the defendant knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently waived his right to appeal (see People v. Thomas, 34 N.Y.3d 545, 122 N.Y.S.3d 226, 144 N.E.3d 970;  People v. Lopez, 6 N.Y.3d 248, 811 N.Y.S.2d 623, 844 N.E.2d 1145).  The defendant's contention that the waiver of the right to appeal was unenforceable because the People and defense counsel purportedly modified the plea agreement after the County Court conducted the appeal waiver colloquy does not implicate the validity of the appeal waiver.  Rather, this contention relates to the validity of the plea of guilty, and the defendant admittedly does not challenge or seek to vacate his plea of guilty (see People v. Cali, 229 A.D.3d 940, 941, 215 N.Y.S.3d 222).

The defendant's valid waiver of his right to appeal precludes appellate review of his contention that the sentence imposed was excessive (see People v. Lopez, 6 N.Y.3d at 255, 811 N.Y.S.2d 623, 844 N.E.2d 1145).

BARROS, J.P., WARHIT, VOUTSINAS and WAN, JJ., concur.