People v. Evans, 69 N.Y.2d 969 (1987)
A court retains discretion, rather than a mandatory obligation, to dismiss an appeal when the appellant fails to perfect it within the prescribed time frame.
Summary
Defendant Evans was charged with driving while intoxicated. The Liberty Town Justice Court suppressed breathalyzer evidence. The People filed a notice of appeal but failed to perfect it within the time prescribed by the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts. The County Court dismissed the appeal, believing it had no discretion. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that CPL 460.70 (2)(c) grants the court discretion to dismiss or not dismiss appeals that are not timely perfected, and remitted the case to the County Court to exercise its discretion.
Facts
Ronald Evans was charged with driving while intoxicated on September 30, 1984.
On November 19, 1985, the Liberty Town Justice Court ordered the suppression of breathalyzer test evidence due to a violation of Evans’ right to counsel.
The People filed a timely notice of appeal with the Sullivan County Court on December 11, 1985.
Before the appeal was perfected, Evans moved to strike the notice of appeal on December 19, 1985.
The People opposed the motion to strike but failed to perfect their appeal within the time prescribed by the Uniform Rules for Trial Courts.
Procedural History
The Liberty Town Justice Court granted Evans’ motion to suppress evidence.
The People appealed the suppression order to the Sullivan County Court.
The Sullivan County Court granted Evans’ motion to dismiss the appeal as untimely, concluding it lacked discretion to hear an appeal not timely perfected.
The People appealed the Sullivan County Court’s decision to the New York Court of Appeals.
Issue(s)
Whether County Court is mandated to dismiss an appeal when the appellant fails to perfect the appeal within the time prescribed, or whether the court has discretion to determine whether dismissal is warranted.
Holding
No, because CPL 460.70 (2)(c) provides that if an appellant fails to perfect the appeal within the prescribed time, “the court may, either upon motion of the respondent or upon its own motion, dismiss the appeal”. This language indicates discretionary rather than mandatory dismissal.
Court’s Reasoning
The Court of Appeals focused on the plain language of CPL 460.70 (2)(c), which states that the court “may” dismiss the appeal if it is not timely perfected. The use of “may,” the court reasoned, clearly indicates that the decision to dismiss is discretionary, not mandatory. The court also cited Uniform Rules for Trial Courts § 200.33 [c] [22 NYCRR], which reinforces this discretionary power. By concluding that it had no discretion to entertain the appeal, the County Court committed an error of law. The Court of Appeals found that the County Court should have considered the circumstances presented and then exercised its discretion to determine whether dismissal of the People’s appeal was warranted. The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of interpreting statutes and rules according to their plain language and giving effect to the legislature’s intent. The decision provides clarity to lower courts regarding their power to manage appeals that are not perfected in a timely manner. It prevents a rigid application of the rules that could lead to unjust outcomes. As the court stated, CPL 460.70(2)(c) clearly provides that if an appellant fails to perfect the appeal within the time prescribed, “the court may, either upon motion of the respondent or upon its own motion, dismiss the appeal”.