90 N.Y.2d 894 (1997)
A prosecutor’s declaration of readiness for trial applies to all charges for which they are prepared to proceed, even if a related felony charge is pending procedural reduction to a misdemeanor.
Summary
Defendant Williams was convicted of criminal mischief and petit larceny. The case originated with a felony charge that the People sought to reduce to a misdemeanor. While the reduction was pending, the People declared their readiness for trial. The defendant argued that the delay in formally reducing the felony charge meant the People’s declaration of readiness was untimely under CPL 30.30. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction, holding that the People’s readiness extended to the misdemeanor charges, and delays were also attributable to the defendant’s pretrial motions and changes of counsel. The procedural delay in reducing the felony charge did not negate the readiness for the misdemeanor charges.
Facts
On March 13, 1996, the People initiated an action against Williams for criminal mischief in the third degree (a felony) and petit larceny (a misdemeanor). Williams was arraigned on March 29, 1996.
Procedural History
On May 14, 1996, the People stated they were ready for trial and moved to reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor. The defendant and the court consented, but the reduction wasn’t properly executed under CPL 180.50. The charge was formally reduced on October 15, 1996, with the People reiterating their readiness. The County Court affirmed the convictions. The Court of Appeals affirmed the County Court decision.
Issue(s)
Whether the People’s declaration of readiness for trial on May 14, 1996, was ineffective due to the pending procedural reduction of the felony charge, thus violating CPL 30.30’s speedy trial requirements?
Holding
No, because the People’s readiness for trial included the misdemeanor charge of petit larceny, which was unaffected by the procedural mechanics of CPL 180.50, and delays were attributable to the defendant’s actions.
Court’s Reasoning
The Court of Appeals reasoned that the People’s statement of readiness on May 14, 1996, encompassed the misdemeanor charge of petit larceny. The court emphasized that the procedural delay in reducing the felony charge did not invalidate the People’s readiness regarding the already existing misdemeanor charge. The court also noted that the defendant’s numerous pre-trial motions and five changes of attorney contributed to the delay, making it unreasonable to charge six months to the People under CPL 30.30 (4)(a), (f). The court implicitly applied the principle that a declaration of readiness should be evaluated in light of the actual preparedness to proceed on at least some of the charges. The court concluded: “when the People answered ready on May 14, 1996, their readiness included the misdemeanor charge of petit larceny. That unreduced charge was unaffected by the procedural mechanics of CPL 180.50.”