People v Zarghani (Arman)

[*1] People v Zarghani (Arman) 2020 NY Slip Op 51556(U) Decided on December 24, 2020 Appellate Term, Second Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and will not be published in the printed Official Reports.

Decided on December 24, 2020
SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE TERM, SECOND DEPARTMENT, 9th and 10th JUDICIAL DISTRICTS
PRESENT: : THOMAS A. ADAMS, P.J., JERRY GARGUILO, ELIZABETH H. EMERSON, JJ
2018-2092 S CR

The People of the State of New York, Respondent,

against

Arman Zarghani, Appellant.

The Matera Law Firm (Michaelangelo Matera of counsel), for appellant. Suffolk County Traffic Prosecutor's Office (Justin W. Smiloff of counsel), for respondent.

Appeal from judgments of the District Court of Suffolk County, Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (Lewis A. Silverman, J.H.O.), rendered July 12, 2018. Each judgment convicted defendant, after a nonjury trial, of speeding, and imposed sentence.

ORDERED that the judgments of conviction are affirmed.

Defendant was charged with making an unsafe lane change (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1128 [a]) and, in two separate simplified traffic informations, with speeding (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1180 [b]). After a nonjury trial, defendant was acquitted of the charge of making an unsafe lane change and found guilty of both speeding charges.

Defendant's contention regarding the legal sufficiency of the evidence is unpreserved for appellate review since he failed to raise the issue at trial (see CPL 470.05 [2]; People v Hawkins, 11 NY3d 484, 491-492 [2008]; People v Hines, 97 NY2d 56, 61 [2001]; People v Gray, 86 NY2d 10 [1995]). In any event, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People (see People v Contes, 60 NY2d 620, 621 [1983]), and indulging in all reasonable inferences in the People's favor (see People v Ford, 66 NY2d 428, 437 [1985]), we find that it was legally sufficient to establish defendant's guilt of both speeding charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Furthermore, upon the exercise of this court's factual review power (see CPL 470.15 [5]; People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 348-349 [2007]), while according great deference to the factfinder's opportunity to view the witnesses, hear their testimony, observe their demeanor, and assess their credibility (see People v Lane, 7 NY3d 888, 890 [2006]; People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490, 495 [1987]), we find that the verdicts convicting defendant of both speeding charges were not against the weight of the evidence (see People v Romero, 7 NY3d 633, 643-646 [2006]).

We have reviewed defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit.

Accordingly, the judgments of conviction are affirmed.

ADAMS, P.J., GARGUILO and EMERSON, JJ., concur.

ENTER:
Paul Kenny
Chief Clerk
Decision Date: December 24, 2020