Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M307023

AFA/

COLLEEN D. DUFFY, J.P.

ROBERT J. MILLER

LINDA CHRISTOPHER

JAMES P. MCCORMACK, JJ.

2024-12315 The People, etc., respondent, v James McLaurin, appellant. (Ind. No. 70574/2024)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION

Appeal from a judgment of the County Court, Suffolk County, rendered August 27, 2024. Motion by the appellant for waiver of costs, fees, and expenses and for the assignment of counsel. By order to show cause dated June 18, 2025, the appellant was directed to show cause before this Court why the appeal should not be dismissed on the ground that the notice of appeal from the judgment was untimely, counsel was assigned to respond to the order to show cause, and the appellant's motion was held in abeyance in the interim. Separate motion by the appellant, in effect, pursuant to CPL 460.30 to deem the notice of appeal to be timely filed.

Now, upon the order to show cause and the papers filed in response thereto, and upon the papers filed in support of the motion for waiver of costs, fees, and expenses and for the assignment of counsel and the papers filed in relation thereto, and upon the papers filed in support of the motion, in effect, pursuant to CPL 460.30 to deem the notice of appeal to be timely filed and no papers having been filed in opposition or in relation thereto, it is

ORDERED that the motion to dismiss the appeal is denied; and it is further,

ORDERED that the motion, in effect, pursuant to CPL 460.30 to deem the notice of appeal to be timely filed is granted and the notice of appeal is deemed timely filed; and it is further,

ORDERED that the motion for waiver of costs, fees, and expenses and for the assignment of counsel is granted; and it is further,

ORDERED that the appeal will be heard on the original papers (including a certified transcript of the proceedings, if any) and on the appellant's and the respondent's briefs; the appellant and the respondent are directed to upload, through the digital portal on this Court's website, digital copies of their respective briefs, with proof of service of one hard copy on each other, or, if the appellant is self-represented and unable to upload a digital copy, to file one original copy with the Clerk of this Court, with proof of service of one hard copy on the respondent (22 NYCRR 670.9[a]); additionally, the appellant is directed to file proof of service of a subpoena upon the clerk of the court of original instance requiring all documents constituting the record on appeal to be filed with the Clerk of this Court (22 NYCRR 1250.9[a][4][i]); and it is further,

ORDERED that the stenographer of the trial court is directed promptly to make, certify, and file two transcripts of the proceedings of any pretrial hearings, of the plea of guilty or of the trial, and of the imposition of sentence in this action, except for those minutes previously transcribed and certified (see 22 NYCRR 671.9); and it is further,

ORDERED that in the event that the case was tried to a conclusion before a jury, the stenographer shall also make, certify, and file two transcripts of the minutes of proceedings during jury selection; and it is further,

ORDERED that the Clerk of the trial court shall furnish one certified transcript of each of the proceedings set forth above to the appellant's counsel, without charge (see CPL 460.70); assigned counsel is directed to turn over those transcripts to the respondent when counsel serves the appellant's brief on the respondent; and it is further,

ORDERED that in the event the stenographer has already prepared a copy of any of the minutes for a codefendant, then the Clerk of the trial court is directed to reproduce a copy thereof for assigned counsel; and it is further,

ORDERED that upon service of a copy of this decision and order on motion upon it, the Department of Probation is hereby authorized and directed to provide assigned counsel with a copy of the presentence report prepared in connection with the appellant's sentencing, including the recommendation sheet and any prior reports on the appellant which are incorporated in or referred to in the report, and to provide additional copies to this Court upon demand; and it is further,

ORDERED that in the event an issue as to the legality, propriety, or excessiveness of the sentence is raised on appeal, or if assigned counsel cites or relies upon the probation report in a brief or motion in any other way, counsel shall provide a complete copy of such report and any attachments to the Court and the District Attorney's office prior to the filing of such brief or motion; and it is further,

ORDERED that pursuant to County Law § 722 the following named attorney is assigned as counsel to prosecute the appeal:

Twyla Carter

The Legal Aid Society

199 Water Street - 5th Floor

New York, NY 10038

and it is further,

ORDERED that the appellant's time to perfect the appeal is extended; assigned counsel shall prosecute the appeal expeditiously in accordance with this Court's rules (see 22 NYCRR 1250.9) and written directions; and it is further,

ORDERED that in the event the file has been sealed, it is hereby unsealed for the limited purpose of allowing assigned counsel or his or her representative access to the record for the purpose of preparing the appeal; such access shall include permission to copy the papers insofar as they pertain to the appellant; and it is further,

ORDERED that assigned counsel is directed to serve a copy of this decision and order on motion upon the clerk of the court from which the appeal is taken.

DUFFY, J.P., MILLER, CHRISTOPHER and MCCORMACK, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Darrell M. Joseph

Clerk of the Court

Appellant's Address:

24-B-3829

Wallkill Corr. Fac.

P.O. Box G

Wallkill, NY 12589-0286