People v. St. Jean

101 A.D.3d 1684, 956 N.Y.2d 763

Opinion

Memorandum: On appeal from an order determining that he is a level two risk pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (Correction Law § 168 et seq.), defendant contends that County Court’s determination of his risk level is not supported by the requisite clear and convincing evidence (see § 168-n [3]). We reject that contention. “The statements in the case summary and presentence report with respect to defendant’s substance abuse constitute reliable hearsay supporting the court’s assessment of points under the risk factor for history of drug or alcohol abuse” (People v Ramos, 41 AD3d 1250, 1250 [2007], lv denied 9 NY3d 809 [2007]). Defendant, who admitted to a probation officer that he occasionally overconsumed alcohol, used marihuana three to four times a week, and used ecstasy whenever he could obtain it, believed that he had a substance abuse problem. The court was entitled to reject defendant’s contention at the hearing that his use of alcohol and drugs did not constitute “substance abuse” inasmuch as that contention conflicted with his prior statements as set forth in the presentence report (see People v Woodard, 63 AD3d 1655, 1656 [2009], lv denied 13 NY3d 706 [2009]).

Defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that a downward departure from his presumptive risk level was warranted (see People v Gardiner, 92 AD3d 1228, 1229 [2012], lv denied 19 NY3d 801 [2012]). In any event, defendant’s contention is without merit inasmuch as defendant failed to present “clear and convincing evidence of special circumstances justifying a downward departure” (People v McDaniel, 27 AD3d 1158, 1159 [2006], lv denied 7 NY3d 703 [2006]). Present— Scudder, P.J., Centra, Fahey, Carni and Valentino, JJ.