Case ID: ad3d_88/html/0499-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Augustin Norales, Appellant.
    [930 NYS2d 192]
   The misdemeanor information sufficiently alleged that defendant knowingly and unlawfully entered a nonpublic area of a building. There is no material distinction between the allegations of this information and those upheld in People v Maresca (19 Misc 3d 133[A], 2008 NY Slip Op 50663[U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2008]) and People v Quinones (2002 NY Slip Op 50091 [U] [App Term, 1st Dept 2002], lv denied 98 NY2d 680 [2002]). The allegations plainly indicate that defendant entered a nonpublic lobby, and not merely a public vestibule. The factual allegations of an information are to be “given a fair and not overly restrictive or technical reading,” and are sufficient so long as they “give an accused notice sufficient to prepare a defense and are adequately detailed to prevent a defendant from being tried twice for the same offense” (People v Casey, 95 NY2d 354, 360 [2000]).

The information was also sufficient to allege that defendant knowingly entered the lobby unlawfully. The allegations that defendant entered the lobby through a locked door, notwithstanding a conspicuous no-trespassing sign, and when questioned did not claim to be a resident or invited guest, satisfied the knowledge element of trespass (see e.g. People v Flores, 21 Misc 3d 141[A], 2008 NY Slip Op 52371[U] [App Term, 2d Dept 2008]). Concur — Gonzalez, EJ., Andrias, Saxe and Sweeny, JJ.