The People, etc., ex rel. Samantha Tucker, on behalf of Eriel Rivera, appellant, v. Cynthia Brann, etc., respondent. (2021)

Argued—April 22, 2021

DECISION & ORDER

In a habeas corpus proceeding, the petitioner appeals from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County (Ushir Pandit–Durant, J.), dated January 15, 2021.  The judgment denied the petition and, in effect, dismissed the proceeding.

ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs or disbursements.

The petitioner commenced this proceeding in the Supreme Court for a writ of habeas corpus, seeking the release of Eriel Rivera (hereinafter the defendant) from custody.  The defendant had been remanded pursuant to CPL 530.12(11) by the Criminal Court after a hearing on December 22, 2020, at which, over his objection, he appeared electronically.  The Supreme Court denied the petition and, in effect, dismissed the proceeding.

The Supreme Court properly determined that the Criminal Court did not violate “ ‘constitutional or statutory standards' ” (People ex rel. Rosenthal v. Wolfson, 48 N.Y.2d 230, 232–233, quoting People ex rel. Klein v. Krueger 25 N.Y.2d 497, 499) in holding a virtual CPL 530.12 hearing wherein the defendant and all others appeared electronically.  Under the circumstances of this case, given the prevalence of COVID–19 in New York City in December 2020 as well as the defendant's own health status, the Criminal Court properly exercised its inherent authority pursuant to Judiciary Law § 2–b to proceed with the hearing notwithstanding the defendant's objection (see id.;  People v. Wrotten, 14 NY3d 33, 37–38;  People v. Krieg, 139 AD3d 625, 626–627).

The petitioner's remaining contentions are unpreserved for appellate review and, in any event, without merit.

MASTRO, A.P.J., RIVERA, HINDS–RADIX and DUFFY, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court