Appellate Division, Second Department · October 28, 2026 · 2026 NY Slip Op 06331
People v Romero-Lopez
Read the official decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 06331
Holding The court reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial because the trial court improperly precluded cross-examination of the complaining witness regarding her drug use and mental health diagnosis. The court found these errors were not harmless because the evidence of guilt was not overwhelming and the errors may have contributed to the conviction.
The court’s words
the County Court should not have precluded cross-examination as to the complaining witness's drug use
2026 NY Slip Op 06331, at the official text
the County Court should not have, in effect, granted the People's application to preclude cross-examination of the complaining witness with respect to her mental health diagnosis
2026 NY Slip Op 06331, at the official text
These errors were not harmless since the evidence of the defendant's guilt, without reference to these errors, was not overwhelming
2026 NY Slip Op 06331, at the official text
| Court | Appellate Division, Second Department |
|---|---|
| Decided | October 28, 2026 |
| Citation | 2026 NY Slip Op 06331 |
| Area of law | Criminal Law |
| Week | Week ending October 31, 2026 |
| Official text | Official decision: 2026 NY Slip Op 06331 |
| 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 | 1610 |
Recommended citation
ESQ HQ, New York Law Watch, People v Romero-Lopez, 2026 NY Slip Op 06331 (Appellate Division, Second Department, October 28, 2026), https://esqhq.com/decisions/2026-ny-slip-op-06331/
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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