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VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECEIVING A BRIBE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING CONTAINING ASBESTOS, CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE PURSUANT TO CPL 210.40 (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined Supreme Court abused its discretion in dismissing a case in the interest of justice pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law 210.40. Defendant, a village code enforcement officer, was charged (along with the village mayor) with receiving a bribe and endangering the public health (among several other charges) in connection with the demolition of a building containing asbestos without proper abatement and approval. The mayor had pled guilty to three misdemeanors:

… [O]ur review of the record discloses that some factors certainly militate in favor of defendant — his lack of a criminal record or history of misconduct and the fact that he was removed from his position as the Code Enforcement Officer for the Village. They are, however, not wholly dispositive in this case … . … [W]e find that the court improvidently exercised its discretion in granting defendant’s motion inasmuch as this case does not present “extraordinary and compelling circumstance[s] . . . which cry out for fundamental justice” … . …

We do not … share the court’s view that it was unclear from the record that there was no harm to the environment or to individuals in the vicinity of the demolished building … . The record evidence demonstrates that due to the demolition, the asbestos — a legislatively-recognized carcinogenic agent …  — became friable, meaning that it could crumble and create a dust. More to the point, the record evidence reveals that not only did the dust that was created as a consequence of the demolition lead to the stopping of nearby traffic, workers associated with the demolition were exposed to it. Indeed, one worker stated that, based on his experience as a contractor, he believed that asbestos was present. …

We also find that Supreme Court incorrectly assessed that dismissing the indictment would have a minimal impact upon the confidence of the public in the criminal justice system … inasmuch as permitting a public servant to elude prosecution for an alleged abuse of his or her position’s power cannot be said to foster public confidence … . …

We do not agree with Supreme Court that imposing an authorized sentence upon defendant “would serve absolutely no purpose” had he been tried and convicted of the charged crimes … . To the contrary, deterring individuals from committing a similar crime in the future is a goal served by sentencing a defendant who has been convicted of a crime … . People v Snowden, 2018 NY Slip Op 02369, Third Dept 4-5-18

​CRIMINAL LAW (INTEREST OF JUSTICE DISMISSAL, VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECEIVING A BRIBE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING CONTAINING ASBESTOS, CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE PURSUANT TO CPL 210.40 (THIRD DEPT))/ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (CRIMINAL LAW, VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECEIVING A BRIBE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING CONTAINING ASBESTOS, CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE PURSUANT TO CPL 210.40 (THIRD DEPT))/MUNICIPAL LAW (CRIMINAL LAW,  VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECEIVING A BRIBE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING CONTAINING ASBESTOS, CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE PURSUANT TO CPL 210.40 (THIRD DEPT))/INTEREST OF JUSTICE (CRIMINAL LAW, VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECEIVING A BRIBE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING CONTAINING ASBESTOS, CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE PURSUANT TO CPL 210.40 (THIRD DEPT))/CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW 240.10 (INTEREST OF JUSTICE DISMISSAL, VILLAGE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECEIVING A BRIBE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION OF A BUILDING CONTAINING ASBESTOS, CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DISMISSED IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE PURSUANT TO CPL 210.40 (THIRD DEPT))

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