Appellate Division, Fourth Department · July 24, 2026 · 2026 NY Slip Op 04652
People v Stephens
Read the official decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 04652
Holding The People failed to demonstrate due diligence in their initial discovery obligations, rendering the certificate of compliance improper and the readiness statement illusory. Consequently, the case is remitted to County Court to determine if the People were ready within the requisite speedy trial time period.
The court’s words
the People failed to show that they had exercised due diligence and made reasonable efforts to identify mandatory discovery prior to filing their initial COC
2026 NY Slip Op 04652, at the official text
the initial COC was not proper when filed and the People's declaration of readiness at that time was illusory
2026 NY Slip Op 04652, at the official text
the People failed to provide defendant with fundamental, 'routinely produced disclosure materials,' which were in the possession of the People
2026 NY Slip Op 04652, at the official text
| Court | Appellate Division, Fourth Department |
|---|---|
| Decided | July 24, 2026 |
| Citation | 2026 NY Slip Op 04652 |
| Area of law | Criminal Procedure |
| Week | Week ending July 25, 2026 |
| Official text | Official decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 04652 |
| Publication status | Slip opinions are uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports. |
| Source feed | New York slip opinion page |
| Law Watch record id | 487 |
Recommended citation
ESQ HQ, New York Law Watch, People v Stephens, 2026 NY Slip Op 04652 (Appellate Division, Fourth Department, July 24, 2026), https://esqhq.com/decisions/2026-ny-slip-op-04652/
How this record was made
Holding drafted by Law Watch’s in-house model, graded by three reviewers; every quotation verified word for word against the official text.
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