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IN AN EFFORT TO CONVINCE THE COURT TO GRANT THEIR REQUEST FOR A COMPETENCY HEARING BASED UPON DEFENDANT’S REJECTION OF A FAVORABLE PLEA OFFER, THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS REVEALED CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH DEFENDANT ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE EVIDENCE; ALTHOUGH THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WERE ATTEMPTING TO HELP THE DEFENDANT, THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS BECAME WITNESSES AGAINST THE DEFENDANT, DEPRIVING HIM OF HIS RIGHT TO COUNSEL (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing defendant’s conviction, determined defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel. Defendant was offered a plea deal which avoided incarceration for robbery and assault. When defendant rejected the offer, the defense attorneys requested a competency examination. In arguing for the competency examination, the defense attorneys described their efforts to convince defendant to accept the plea bargain, including a mock trial in the defense attorneys’ office finding defendant guilty. The Second Department determined the defense attorneys, by describing their confidential communications with defendant, which included the strength of the evidence, had become witnesses against the defendant:

… [T]he defendant’s right to counsel was adversely affected, and he received ineffective assistance of counsel when his attorneys revealed confidential communications on the record and, in effect, took a position adverse to him … . Contrary to the People’s contention, defense counsels did more than merely express concern that the defendant misunderstood the nature of the relevant issues … . Instead, defense counsels emphasized the strength of the evidence against their client, including revealing that a mock trial conducted in their office resulted in the defendant being found guilty … . These detailed statements, in effect, made defense counsels witnesses against their client, regardless of whether defense counsels allegedly made these statements in order to aid the application for an examination pursuant to CPL article 730 or in an attempt to persuade the defendant to accept what they viewed as a highly favorable plea offer. Although defense counsels had an obligation to advise the defendant regarding the plea offer … , the defendant retains the authority to accept or reject a plea offer, even having accepted the assistance of counsel … , and defense counsels must provide meaningful representation consistent with the defendant’s desire to proceed to trial … . People v Montgomery, 2025 NY Slip Op 01111, Second Dept 2-26-25

Practice Point: Here the defense was trying to help the defendant by requesting a competency hearing after he rejected a favorable plea offer. In arguing for the competency hearing, the defense revealed confidential discussions with the defendant about the strength of the evidence, thereby becoming witnesses against the defendant and depriving him of his right to counsel.​

 

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