People v. Hernandez

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that a five‑year term of post‑release supervision is lawful for a defendant convicted of second‑degree murder and sentenced under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act, and that the defendant’s written appeal waiver was valid and barred review of her excessive‑sentence claim. The court based its decision on a plain‑text reading of Penal Law §§ 60.12 and 70.45 and on established principles of statutory construction, rejecting the appellant’s policy arguments.