Opinion
2022-65271 Motion 2021-06976
04-29-2022
People of State of New York, respondent, v. Gurjinder Ghotra, appellant.
Unpublished Opinion
MOTION DECISION
VALERIE BRATHWAITE NELSON, J.P. REINALDO E. RIVERA, CHERYL E. CHAMBERS, JOSEPH A. ZAYAS, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION
Appeal from an order of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, dated September 10, 2021. Renewed motion by the appellant for leave to prosecute the appeal as a poor person and for the assignment of counsel.
Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in relation thereto, it is
ORDERED that the branch of the motion which is for leave to prosecute the appeal as a poor person is denied as unnecessary, as the appellant was granted leave to proceed as a poor person in the Supreme Court and, pursuant to Correction Law 168-n (3), his status as a poor person continues on appeal; 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 1250.9[a][4], [c][1], [d], [e]); 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 hearing held in connection with the order dated September 10, 2021, except for those minutes previously transcribed and certified (see 22 NYCRR 671.9); and it is further, ORDERED that the clerk of the trial court shall furnish one certified transcript of each of the proceedings to the appellant's counsel, without charge (see CPLR 1102[b]); 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 the branch of the motion which is to assign counsel is granted and pursuant to County Law § 722 the following named attorney is assigned as counsel to prosecute the appeal:
Thomas R. Villecco
366 North Broadway, Ste. 410
Jericho, NY 11753
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 or considered by the trial court in connection with the appellant's risk level determination, including the recommendation sheet and any prior reports on the appellant which are incorporated or referred to in the report, and to provide additional copies to this Court upon demand; 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 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 the filing fee is waived (see CPLR 1102[d]); 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.
BRATHWAITE NELSON, J.P., RIVERA, CHAMBERS and ZAYAS, JJ., concur.