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Defendant Convicted of Violating an Unconstitutional Statute Has Committed No Crime

The Second Department, in vacating defendant’s conviction for attempted aggravated harassment, explained that when a substantive criminal statute, here Penal Law 240.30 (1), has been held unconstitutional, the defendant convicted of violating the statute has committed no crime:

“Where a substantive criminal statute has been held unconstitutional, there is no alternative but to give the decision retroactive effect for the declaration of unconstitutionality is a statement that the defendant has committed no crime” … [.] … [T]he Court of Appeals held that Penal Law § 240.30(1), as written at the time of the defendant’s conviction, was unconstitutionally vague and overbroad under both the state and federal constitutions … . Accordingly, the defendant’s conviction of attempted aggravated harassment in the second degree must be vacated … . People v Cesaire, 2015 NY Slip Op 03556, 2nd Dept 4-29-15

 

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