ASSAULT THIRD IS AN INCLUSORY CONCURRENT COUNT OF ASSAULT SECOND; THE ASSAULT THIRD CONVICTION REVERSED AND THE COUNT DISMISSED; THE ISSUE NEED NOT BE PRESERVED FOR APPEAL (FOURTH DEPT). ​

The Fourth Department determined the assault third conviction must be reverses as an inclusory concurrent count of the assault second degree conviction. The issue need not be preserved for appeal:

… [A]ssault in the third degree is an inclusory concurrent count of assault in the second degree … . Thus, that part of the judgment convicting defendant of assault in the third degree must be reversed and count 2 of the indictment dismissed … , and we therefore modify the judgment accordingly. Contrary to the People’s contention, preservation of this issue is not required … . People v Niles, 2025 NY Slip Op 01502, Fourth Dept 3-14-25

Practice Point: Assault third is an inclusory concurrent count of assault second. A defendant cannot stand convicted of both. The issue can be raised for the first time on appeal.