Failure to Comply with Statutory Procedure Re: Jury Note Was Not “Mode of Proceedings” Error​

The Court of Appeals determined the trial court’s failure to comply precisely with the requirements of CPL 310.30, and the trial court’s having a court officer tell the jury they could not have a written copy of the jury instructions, did not constitute mode of proceedings errors.  The Court wrote:

We are not persuaded by defendant’s argument that a mode of proceedings error occurred, when the trial court did not comply precisely with the requirements of People v O’Rama (78 NY2d 270 [1991]; CPL 310.30). Where, as here, defense counsel had notice of a jury note and “failed to object . . . when the error could have been cured,” lack of preservation bars the claim … .

Nor did the court commit a mode of proceedings error by delegating delivery of its answer to a jury question to a court officer. That task was in this context practically ministerial and defense counsel consented to the procedure … . People v Williams, No 112, CtApp, 5-30-13