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PROOF OF OCCASIONAL DRUG USE IN THE REMOTE PAST AND REFERRALS FOR ALLEGED DRUG USE IN PRISON SEVERAL YEARS AGO WAS INSUFFICIENT TO WARRANT THE ASSESSMENT OF 15 POINTS FOR A HISTORY OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined defendant should not have been assessed 15 points for his history of drug and alcohol abuse. The evidence of drug use was remote in time and drug use was not an aspect of the offense:

Defendant reported that, prior to moving to this area in 1987, he had used cocaine once during his incarceration in Alabama and speed while working in the south, but denied any recent drug use. The information regarding defendant’s use of drugs is in the distant past and excessively remote … and, in any event, does not establish a pattern of drug abuse as contemplated by the Sex Offender Registration Act risk assessment guidelines … . In addition, the case summary reflects that, upon being screened by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, drug use was not an issue of concern with regard to defendant and he was not, at that time, referred to any alcohol or drug treatment program.

The remaining evidence with regard to defendant’s history of drug or alcohol abuse is the general reference to defendant twice being referred to alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs during his 26 years of incarceration for the instant offense “presumptively” due to defendant receiving five tier III disciplinary sanctions for drug use. The most recent referral was several years ago, in 2012. We find that this is insufficient, by itself, to establish a pattern of drug or alcohol abuse by defendant … . People v Brown, 2019 NY Slip Op 08746, Third Dept 12-5-19

 

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DEFENDANT DEMONSTRATED HE WAS UNLIKELY TO REOFFEND; THEREFORE, DESPITE THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS SEX OFFENSES, HE WAS ENTITLED TO A REDUCTION OF HIS RISK LEVEL FROM THREE TO ONE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, modifying the SORA court, in a comprehensive, full-fledged opinion by Justice Austin, determined defendant sex offender was entitled to a downward modification of his risk assessment from level three to level one:

The defendant’s submissions demonstrated that, through his long-term sobriety, strong family support, faith-based and law abiding lifestyle, continuous employment despite his numerous physical disabilities and age, his risk of reoffending is so diminished that a further reduction from his current risk level two to risk level one is appropriate … . * * *

… [I]f a defendant served his or her sentence, rehabilitated himself or herself, and demonstrated no actual likelihood of reoffending, a reduction to a risk level one classification from a level three classification should be a possibility. …

In modifying the Supreme Court’s order which reduced the defendant’s sex offender risk level classification from three to two, and thereby granting the petition to further reduce the defendant’s sex offender risk level designation to a level one, we are not signaling a departure from our strict interpretation of the Guidelines and the legislative history of SORA. Rather, we are following the law, and the policy underlying it, as it applies to this defendant. That is, it is not out of sympathy for his physical condition nor with a blind eye to the defendant’s significant criminal past that we render our determination. Rather, we consider these as well as all of the factors—positive and negative—presented at the hearing on his petition for a downward modification in deciding the singular question presented: Did the defendant establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that the risk he poses to the community as a convicted sex offender warrants a downward modification to level one? We answer that question in the affirmative.

To hold otherwise ignores the sincere, positive strides the defendant has made to be a productive, positive member of society. By using the disturbing nature of one’s crime as the tipping point in the analysis of a petition such as the one before this Court comes dangerously close to saying, if not holding, that once one has committed a sex crime and has been designated a sex offender level, there is no way he or she can ever be rehabilitated to a legally sufficient extent to warrant a downward modification to the lowest level of supervision. If that were so, then the cited portions of the Guidelines and Correction Law § 168-o(2), which allow annual reevaluation of a defendant’s risk level after it is initially established, would be rendered without meaning and illusory. People v Davis, 2019 NY Slip Op 08720, Second Dept 12-4-19

 

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BURGLARY AS A SEXUALLY MOTIVATED OFFENSE FIRST DEGREE IS NOT A REGISTERABLE OFFENSE UNDER SORA; A SEX OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION IS APPEALABLE WHEN THE ERROR IS NOT PRESERVED (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, in a full-fledged opinion by Justice LaSalle, determined that burglary as a sexually motivated felony first degree (Penal Law 140.30[2]) is not a registerable offense under SORA, the result of an apparently unintended omission from the Correction Law. Defendant had attempted to rape the victim after breaking into her house. The court noted that a sex offender classification is appealable even when the alleged error is not preserved:

… [W]hen looking first at the statutory text of Correction Law § 168-a(2)(a), we find that the language employed is clear and unambiguous. As written, subparagraph (iii) of section 168-a(2)(a) specifically defines a sex offense as “a conviction of or a conviction for an attempt to commit any provisions of the foregoing sections committed or attempted . . . as a sexually motivated felony defined in section 130.91 of such law.” Thus, as the defendant contends, according to the language of the statute as amended, burglary in the first degree as a sexually motivated felony is not a registerable sex offense under SORA. While this may not have been the intent of the Legislature, the omission of a critical grammatical signpost or a parenthetical number preceding “as a sexually motivated felony” clearly limits the qualifying sexually motivated felony offenses only to those enumerated in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) … . “The maxim expressio unius est exclusio alterius is applied in the construction of the statutes, so that where a law expressly describes a particular act, thing or person to which it shall apply,  an irrefutable inference must be drawn that what is omitted or not included was intended to be omitted or excluded” … . People v Buyund, 2019 NY Slip Op 08207, Second Dept 11-13-19

 

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DEFENDANT WAS ENTITLED TO A DOWNWARD DEPARTURE IN THIS STATUTORY RAPE CASE (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reducing defendant’s risk assessment from level 2 to level 1, determined a downward department was appropriate because the statutory rape conviction involved consensual sex and defendant had no other sexual offenses in his history:

In cases of statutory rape, the Board has long recognized that strict application of the Guidelines may in some instances result in overassessment of the offender’s risk to public safety. The Guidelines provide that “[t]he Board or a court may choose to depart downward in an appropriate case and in those instances where (i) the victim’s lack of consent is due only to inability to consent by virtue of age and (ii) scoring 25 points in this category results in an over-assessment of the offender’s risk to public safety” … .

Considering all of the circumstances present here, including that this offense is the only sex-related crime in the defendant’s history, as well as the fact that the defendant’s overall score of 80 points, as reduced by the Supreme Court, was near the low end of the range applicable to a presumptive level two designation (75 to 105 points), the assessment of 25 points under risk factor 2 results in an overassessment of the defendant’s risk to public safety … . Accordingly, a downward departure was appropriate, and the defendant should have been designated a level one sex offender. People v Fisher, 2019 NY Slip Op 07893, Second Dept 11-6-19

 

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PROOF OF AN UNCHARGED SEXUAL OFFENSE RELIED UPON FOR AN UPWARD DEPARTURE WAS INSUFFICIENT; LEVEL THREE ASSESSMENT REDUCED TO LEVEL TWO (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department reduced the defendant’s sex offender level from three to two because the evidence of an uncharged sexual offense was not sufficient:

… [A]lthough the defendant’s presumptive risk level was level two, the People contended that an upward departure was warranted based upon evidence that, approximately three months before the charged crime was committed, the defendant committed an uncharged sex offense against a different victim who allegedly was 15 years old at the time. While the People presented DNA evidence establishing that the defendant had sexual contact with the second alleged victim, the only evidence of that alleged victim’s age was a statement in a police report that she was 15 years old, and, since the police report stated that the alleged victim’s sexual contact with the defendant was willing, the bare notation of the victim’s age was the only proof of the crime on which the People relied. Thus, the Supreme Court should not have granted an upward departure since the evidence of the alleged victim’s age was not supported by a “detailed victim statement[ ]” … or otherwise corroborated … . People v Torres, 2019 NY Slip Op 07629, Second Dept 10-23-19

 

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DEFENDANT’S CONNECTICUT CONVICTION WAS NOT EQUIVALENT TO A NEW YORK REGISTRABLE OFFENSE; THE CIVIL APPEALS STANDARDS APPLY; ALTHOUGH NOT PRESERVED, THE ISSUE PRESENTS A PURE QUESTION OF LAW, COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF RAISED BELOW AND THE RECORD WAS SUFFICIENT FOR REVIEW (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined defendant need not register as a sex offender in New York based upon a Connecticut misdemeanor conviction which was not equivalent to New York’s first-degree sexual abuse statute. The court noted that the civil appeals standards apply and preservation of the error was not required because the appeal presents a pure question of law, the issue could not have been avoided if raised below, and the record is sufficient for review:

In 2003, defendant was convicted in Connecticut of two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. To the extent relevant here, a person is guilty of that misdemeanor when he “subjects another person to sexual contact who is . . . physically helpless, or. . . subjects another person to sexual contact without such other person’s consent” (Conn Gen Stat § 53a-73a[a][1][D],[2]). The physical helplessness element would make the crime the equivalent of first-degree sexual abuse (Penal Law § 130.65[2]), a registrable offense in New York. In the absence of that element, the crime is the equivalent of third-degree sexual abuse (Penal Law § 130.55), which is not registrable.

Equivalency, based on a comparison of essential elements (see Corr Law § 168-a[1],[2][d]), may be established when “the conduct underlying the foreign conviction . . . is, in fact, within the scope of the New York offense” … . Here, the hearing court relied on undisputed documentary evidence that each victim “felt paralyzed” while being sexually abused by defendant; one victim “just froze” and the other “was afraid to confront” him. There is no indication, however, that either victim was physiologically incapable of speech, drugged into a stupor, or otherwise unable to communicate her unwillingness to submit to the sexual contact … . …

The issue is properly reviewable on this appeal, notwithstanding defendant’s failure to raise it before the hearing court. While we agree with the People that preservation considerations applicable to civil appeals apply here, those considerations do not bar review. This appeal presents a pure question of law. This issue could not have been avoided if raised before the hearing court, and it is reviewable on the existing record … .  Moreover, the hearing court expressly ruled on the issue in its detailed decision. People v Burden, 2019 NY Slip Op 07497, First Dept 10-17-19

 

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THE CRIME TO WHICH DEFENDANT PLED DID NOT HAVE A FORCIBLE COMPULSION ELEMENT SO 10 POINTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ASSESSED ON THAT GROUND; HOWEVER THE MATTER WAS SENT BACK BECAUSE AN UPWARD DEPARTURE MIGHT BE WARRANTED (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department, reversing County Court, determined the offense to which defendant pled guilty, criminal sexual act in the first degree, does not have forcible compulsion as an element and therefore the risk assessment must be reduced by 10 points. However the court noted that an upward department might be appropriate and sent the matter back:

… [T]he court erred in that assessment inasmuch as defendant pleaded guilty to criminal sexual act in the first degree under subdivision (3) of Penal Law § 130.50, which does not require evidence of forcible compulsion … , and there was no other evidence in the record establishing that defendant used forcible compulsion in committing the crime. When those 10 points are subtracted, defendant’s total score makes him a presumptive level two risk.

Nevertheless, we note that an upward departure from the presumptive level may be warranted, i.e., there may be evidence of “an aggravating . . . factor of a kind, or to a degree, that is otherwise not adequately taken into account by the guidelines”… . Here, however, “because defendant was determined to be a level three sex offender, County Court had no reason to consider whether clear and convincing evidence exists to warrant such a departure” … . People v Weber, 2019 NY Slip Op 07197, Fourth Dept 10-4-19

 

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DOWNWARD DEPARTURE FROM LEVEL TWO TO LEVEL ONE WAS APPROPRIATE; DEFENDANT PARTICIPATED IN THE SEX TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY WHILE SHE HERSELF WAS A VICTIM OF SEX TRAFFICKING (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, lowering defendant’s risk assessment from a lever two to level one, determined that defendant was herself a victim of sex trafficking and her participation in the conspiracy occurred at the same time that she was being exploited:

… [T]he circumstances identified and proven by the defendant … are not accounted for by the SORA Guidelines and tend to demonstrate a lower likelihood of reoffense and danger to the community. The defendant’s evidence showed that she was exploited by the commercial sex industry when she was a minor, and that, while she later took on some “management” responsibilities by “training” other girls, answering phones, and making appointments, at the same time, she continued to be exploited by that industry as she simultaneously served as a sex worker. There was no evidence or indication that the defendant recruited the identified victim, or any victims, or that she engaged in any acts or conduct to coerce the victim, or any victims, to engage in prostitution … . Indeed, the defendant’s level of responsibility in the sex trafficking conspiracy can be gauged by the federal sentencing court’s decision to sentence the defendant to time served.

Finally, under these circumstances, we find that a departure to a level one risk designation is warranted as a matter of discretion “to avoid an [overassessment] of the defendant’s dangerousness and risk of sexual recidivism” … . People v Snyder, 2019 NY Slip Op 06521, Second Dept 9-11-19

 

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SORA RISK ASSESSMENT REDUCED TO LEVEL ONE, NO PROOF AGE OF CHILDREN DEPICTED IN PORNOGRAPHY WAS LESS THAN TEN (FOURTH DEPT

The Fourth Department reduced defendant’s risk level from two to one, finding there was no proof the children depicted in pornography were less than ten years old:

Defendant was convicted of possessing a sexual performance by a child (Penal Law § 263.16), which requires proof, inter alia, that defendant possessed a play, motion picture, or photograph depicting sexual conduct involving a child who is less than 16 years of age (see §§ 263.00 [1], [4]; 263.16). Consequently, defendant’s plea of guilty to that charge does not constitute clear and convincing evidence that 30 points should be assessed under risk factor 5 … . Additionally, the evidence submitted by the People, including the presentence report, did not constitute clear and convincing evidence that any of the victims was 10 years of age or less  … . The clear and convincing evidence, including the references to the children in the images possessed by defendant in the presentence report as preadolescent or prepubescent, coupled with the report’s definition of such children as being between 10 and 13 years of age, however, supports the imposition of 20 points under risk factor 5 … . People v Spratley, 2019 NY Slip Op 06283, Fourth Dept 8-22-19

 

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EVIDENCE DID NOT SUPPORT A LEVEL THREE RISK ASSESSMENT, REDUCED TO LEVEL TWO; STANDARD OF PROOF IS PREPONDERANCE NOT CLEAR AND CONVINCING (FOURTH DEPT).

The Fourth Department determined there was insufficient evidence to justify a level three risk assessment. The assessment was reduced to level two. The court noted that County Court should have applied the preponderant evidence standard, not a clear and convincing standard:

… [T]he People did not establish by clear and convincing evidence that defendant had the requisite pattern of drug use, and there is no “indication in the record that drugs . . . played a role in the instant offense” … . * * *

… [T]he hearsay statement by defendant’s ex-wife that he is a “marijuana addict” is entitled to no weight. Not only is that statement conclusory and unsupported by any other evidence, nothing in the record suggests that defendant’s ex-wife is qualified to diagnose addiction. * * *

… [T]he court erred in assessing him 10 points under risk factor 12, for failure to accept responsibility, given that he “pleaded guilty, admitted his guilt, appeared remorseful when interviewed in connection with the preparation of a presentence report, and apologized” for his conduct  … . People v Kowal, 2019 NY Slip Op 06325, Fourth Dept 8-22-19

 

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