People v. Iverson

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York

People v. Iverson

90 A.D.3d 1561, 936 N.Y.2d 408

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York·Decided December 23, 2011·Published·Cited by 12 cases

Opinion

Memorandum:

Defendant appeals from an order determining that he is a level three risk pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act ([SORA] Correction Law § 168 et seq.). Defendant was previously classified a level one risk pursuant to SORA, and he contends that the Feople were required to file a petition seeking modification of his risk level pursuant to Correction Law § 168-0 (3). Defendant failed to preserve that contention for our review (see generally People v Windham, 10 NY3d 801 [2008]; People v Charache, 9 NY3d 829, 830 [2007]; People v Daniels, 86 AD3d 921, 922 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 715 [2011]) and, in any event, that contention is without merit. Correction Law § 168-o (3) does not require the filing of a petition to modify the classification of a sex offender convicted of a new qualifying sex offense (see § 168-a [2] [a]).

[1562] Defendant was assessed 115 points based upon the factors set forth in the risk assessment instrument (RAI), presumptively classifying him as a level three risk (see generally Correction Law § 168-Z [5], [6]). Contrary to the contention of defendant, his prior felony conviction for a sex offense, i.e., rape in the third degree (Penal Law § 130.25 [2]), “ ‘may be used as both an override factor and a basis upon which to add 30 points for risk factor 9 on the [RAI]’ ” (People v Gilbert, 78 AD3d 1584, 1585 [2010], lv denied 16 NY3d 704 [2011]; see Sex Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, at 13-14 [2006]). We further conclude that County Court’s alternative application of the presumptive override for a prior sex felony conviction to classify defendant a level three risk was warranted (see Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, at 3-4; People v Ratcliff, 53 AD3d 1110 [2008], lv denied 11 NY3d 708 [2008]).

Defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that he was entitled to a downward departure from his presumptive risk level on the ground that both the present and prior sex offenses were nonviolent (see Gilbert, 78 AD3d at 1585-1586; Ratcliff, 53 AD3d 1110). In any event, “defendant’s multiple convictions of sexual crimes constitute ‘compelling evidence that [he] poses a serious risk to public safety’ . . . , and thus a downward departure from the presumptive risk level is not warranted” (Gilbert, 78 AD3d at 1586). Present — Smith, J.P, Fahey, Garni, Sconiers and Gorski, JJ.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Memorandum:

Defendant appeals from an order determining that he is a level three risk pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act ([SORA] Correction Law § 168 et seq.). Defendant was previously classified a level one risk pursuant to SORA, and he contends that the Feople were required to file a petition seeking modification of his risk level pursuant to Correction Law § 168-0 (3). Defendant failed to preserve that contention for our review (see generally People v Windham, 10 NY3d 801 [2008]; People v Charache, 9 NY3d 829, 830 [2007]; People v Daniels, 86 AD3d 921, 922 [2011], lv denied 17 NY3d 715 [2011]) and, in any event, that contention is without merit. Correction Law § 168-o (3) does not require the filing of a petition to modify the classification of a sex offender convicted of a new qualifying sex offense (see § 168-a [2] [a]).

[1562] Defendant was assessed 115 points based upon the factors set forth in the risk assessment instrument (RAI), presumptively classifying him as a level three risk (see generally Correction Law § 168-Z [5], [6]). Contrary to the contention of defendant, his prior felony conviction for a sex offense, i.e., rape in the third degree (Penal Law § 130.25 [2]), “ ‘may be used as both an override factor and a basis upon which to add 30 points for risk factor 9 on the [RAI]’ ” (People v Gilbert, 78 AD3d 1584, 1585 [2010], lv denied 16 NY3d 704 [2011]; see Sex Offender Registration Act: Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, at 13-14 [2006]). We further conclude that County Court’s alternative application of the presumptive override for a prior sex felony conviction to classify defendant a level three risk was warranted (see Risk Assessment Guidelines and Commentary, at 3-4; People v Ratcliff, 53 AD3d 1110 [2008], lv denied 11 NY3d 708 [2008]).

Defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that he was entitled to a downward departure from his presumptive risk level on the ground that both the present and prior sex offenses were nonviolent (see Gilbert, 78 AD3d at 1585-1586; Ratcliff, 53 AD3d 1110). In any event, “defendant’s multiple convictions of sexual crimes constitute ‘compelling evidence that [he] poses a serious risk to public safety’ . . . , and thus a downward departure from the presumptive risk level is not warranted” (Gilbert, 78 AD3d at 1586). Present — Smith, J.P, Fahey, Garni, Sconiers and Gorski, JJ.

People v. Iverson, 90 A.D.3d 1561, 936 N.Y.2d 408 (N.Y. Ct. App. 2011).

Pincite

90 A.D.3d 1561 (People v. Iverson) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

Opinion

Related