PEOPLE v. BENARD (2010)

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Chambers, J.), rendered February 22, 2007, convicting her of grand larceny in the second degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree (three counts), falsifying business records in the first degree, and scheme to defraud in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed.

The defendant's challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Hawkins, 11 NY3d 484; People v. Finger, 95 N.Y.2d 894, 895). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution (see People v. Contes, 60 N.Y.2d 620), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, upon our independent review pursuant to CPL 470.15(5), we are satisfied that the verdict of guilt was not against the weight of the evidence (see People v. Romero, 7 NY3d 633).

The Supreme Court properly denied the defendant's motion to dismiss the indictment on CPL 30.30 grounds. One day after her arraignment on a felony complaint, the defendant, through her attorney, executed a written waiver of her CPL 30.30 rights. As the defendant never revoked this waiver, only one day was chargeable to the People (see People v. Waldron, 6 NY3d 463, 467; People v. Newman, 37 AD3d 621).

The defendant's contention that the Supreme Court failed to respond meaningfully to three notes from the jury regarding the counts charging criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree is unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2]; People v. Starling, 85 N.Y.2d 509, 516; People v. Romgobind, 40 AD3d 1133; People v. Clark, 298 A.D.2d 461). In any event, the Supreme Court's responses to the notes, which were discussed with counsel before they were rendered, were meaningful (see People v. Steinberg, 79 N.Y.2d 673, 684; People v. Fair, 308 A.D.2d 597).

Trial counsel provided meaningful representation at all stages of the proceedings (see People v. Benevento, 91 N.Y.2d 708; People v. Baldi, 54 N.Y.2d 137).

The sentence imposed was not excessive (see People v. Felix, 58 N.Y.2d 156; People v. Suitte, 90 A.D.2d 80).

The defendant's remaining contentions are unpreserved for appellate review (see CPL 470.05[2] ).