PEOPLE v. LADY (2009)

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the County Court, Rockland County (Kelly, J.), rendered August 18, 2005, convicting him of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, upon his plea of guilty, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's contention that his plea of guilty should be vacated because it was not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently made is without merit.   While the pre-sentence report indicated that the defendant had a history of substance abuse and psychiatric problems, and that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which was controlled by medication, there is no basis in the record to support the conclusion that at the time of the plea proceeding, he lacked the capacity to understand the proceeding or was unable to assist in his defense (see CPL 730.30[1];  People v. Hollis, 204 A.D.2d 569, 614 N.Y.S.2d 211).   The responses made by the defendant at the plea and sentencing proceedings were appropriate and did not indicate that he was incapacitated (see People v. Pryor, 11 A.D.3d 565, 782 N.Y.S.2d 803;  People v. Hansen, 269 A.D.2d 467, 704 N.Y.S.2d 269).

The defendant's contention that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel is without merit (see People v. Dowicyan, 19 A.D.3d 613, 796 N.Y.S.2d 541).