In re Christopher T.
Opinion of the Court
Appeal from an order of the Family Court, Monroe County (Joseph G. Nesser, J.), entered June 6, 20.08 in a proceeding pursuant to Family Court Act article 3. The order adjudicated respondent to be a juvenile delinquent and placed him in the custody of the New York -State Office of Children and Family Services for a period of 18 months.
It is hereby ordered that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed without costs.
Memorandum: Respondent appeals from an order adjudicating him to be a juvenile delinquent based on findings that he committed acts that, if committed by an adult, would constitute the crimes of rape in the second degree (Penal Law § 130.30 [2]) and criminal sexual act in the second degree (§ 130.45 [2]). Re
Contrary to respondent’s contention, the evidence is legally sufficient to establish that the victim lacked the mental capacity to consent to sexual relations (see People v Dixon, 66 AD2d 971, 972 [1978]; see generally People v Cratsley, 86 NY2d 81, 86-88 [1995]; People v Easley, 42 NY2d 50, 55-57 [1977]), and we conclude that respondent failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that he was unaware of the victim’s mental disability (see Penal Law § 25.00 [2]; § 130.10 [1]). Further, there was sufficient evidence to corroborate the victim’s testimony pursuant to Penal Law § 130.16, inasmuch as the testimony of respondent established that he attempted “to engage the victim in sexual intercourse [or] oral sexual conduct” (§ 130.16 [a]) at the time and place of the alleged incident. Viewing the evidence in light of the elements of the crimes as charged to the jury (see People v Danielson, 9 NY3d 342, 349 [2007]), we reject respondent’s further contention that the verdict is against the weight of the evidence inasmuch as “resolution of issues of credibility, as well as the weight to be accorded the evidence presented, are primarily questions to be determined by the finder of fact, [who observed] and heard the witnesses” (Matter of Stephen C., 28 AD3d 656, 656 [2006]; see also People v Young, 55 AD3d 1234, 1235-1236 [2008], lv denied 11 NY3d 901 [2008]).
We also reject the contention of respondent that the court abused its discretion in placing him in the custody of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for a period of 18 months. “In determining an appropriate order [of disposition], the court shall consider the needs and best interests of the respondent as well as the need for protection of the community” (Family Ct Act § 352.2 [2] [a]; see Matter of Charles A., 234 AD2d 1003 [1996]). The court is not required, however, “to actually try the lowest form of intervention, have it fail, and
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.