Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
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.
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Todd C. VANCE, Appellant.
Appeal from a judgment of the County Court of Chenango County (Sullivan, J.), rendered January 10, 2005, convicting defendant upon his plea of guilty of the crime of robbery in the second degree.
Defendant entered a plea of guilty to one count of robbery in the second degree in full satisfaction of an eight-count indictment charging him with crimes committed in concert with others over a two-week period. He was sentenced to, among other things, a prison term of six years to be followed by a five-year period of postrelease supervision, and he executed a waiver of appeal.
Defendant contends that he did not enter a knowing, voluntary and intelligent plea because County Court did not advise him during the plea proceedings that his sentence would include a period of postrelease supervision. The record reveals, however, that prior to the imposition of sentence, defendant was aware that the plea agreement included a five-year period of postrelease supervision (compare People v. Catu, 4 N.Y.3d 242, 245, 792 N.Y.S.2d 887, 825 N.E.2d 1081 [2005] ). Inasmuch as defendant did not raise an objection during the sentencing proceeding nor move thereafter to either withdraw his plea or vacate the judgment of conviction, his contention is unpreserved for appellate review (see People v. Alexander, 21 A.D.3d 1223, 1224, 801 N.Y.S.2d 431 [2005], lv. denied 5 N.Y.3d 881, 808 N.Y.S.2d 584, 842 N.E.2d 482 [2005]; People v. Haynes, 14 A.D.3d 789, 791, 788 N.Y.S.2d 469 [2005], lv. denied 4 N.Y.3d 831, 796 N.Y.S.2d 586, 829 N.E.2d 679 [2005]; People v. Van Gorden, 307 A.D.2d 547, 548, 763 N.Y.S.2d 686 [2003], lv. denied 1 N.Y.3d 581, 775 N.Y.S.2d 797, 807 N.E.2d 910 [2003] ). In light of defendant's intelligent and knowing execution of a written waiver of appeal that expressly referred to the five-year period of postrelease supervision as among the terms of his sentence, we decline to exercise our interest of justice jurisdiction to reach the issue (see People v. Alexander, supra ).
Defendant's pro se contention that he was not properly represented by counsel is waived (see People v. Cain, 24 A.D.3d 889, 890, 806 N.Y.S.2d 260 [2005]; People v. Williams, 6 A.D.3d 746, 747, 776 N.Y.S.2d 329 [2004], lv. denied 3 N.Y.3d 650, 782 N.Y.S.2d 421, 816 N.E.2d 211 [2004] ) and is without merit, as defendant received an advantageous plea and nothing in the record casts doubt on counsel's apparent effectiveness (see People v. Ford, 86 N.Y.2d 397, 404, 633 N.Y.S.2d 270, 657 N.E.2d 265 [1995]; People v. Smith, 305 A.D.2d 853, 854-855, 758 N.Y.S.2d 873 [2003], lv. denied 100 N.Y.2d 624, 767 N.Y.S.2d 408, 799 N.E.2d 631 [2003] ). Defendant's claim that his sentence was harsh and excessive is also encompassed by his waiver of appeal (see People v. Lopez, 6 N.Y.3d 248, 254-257, 811 N.Y.S.2d 623, 844 N.E.2d 1145, 2006 N.Y. Slip Op. 01195, *3-4 [2006] ).
ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.
PETERS, J.
MERCURE, J.P., SPAIN, ROSE and KANE, JJ., concur.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Decided: March 30, 2006
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department, New York.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
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.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)