Majority
— Order unanimously reversed, on the law, indictments reinstated, and matter remitted to Onondaga Supreme Court for further proceedings in accordance with the following memorandum: Seven indictments of respondents were returned by a Grand Jury in Cayuga County, and we ordered their transfer to Onondaga County for trial. Respondents moved, among other things, for.a bill of particulars, discovery and inspection, suppression of evidence, declaration that section 70-a of the Executive Law under which the indictments were found is unconstitutional and a determination that the subpoenas issued by the People were invalid for failure to comply with section 73 of the Civil Rights Law. Under stipulation between counsel and the court only the constitutionality of section 70-a of the Executive Law and the question of compliance with section 73 of the Civil Rights Law were argued and decided; and the remaining aspects of the several motions were reserved for later consideration. In People v Rallo ( 46 AD2d 518 ) we assumed the constitutionality of section 70-a of the Executive Law and held that it was applicable to the facts of that case (see, also, Matter of Di Brizzi [Proskauer], 303 NY 206 , 214-215; Carlisle v Bennett, 268 NY 212 , 217-218). The statute is to be construed in a manner to protect constitutional safeguards, where possible, to avoid a declaration of unconstitutionality (People v Epton, 19 NY2d 496 , 505-506, cert den sub nom. Epton v New York, 390 US 29 ; Matter of Fay,
Cases cited
- People v. Rallo 46 AD2d 518 at 525 p. 1088, p. 1089
- In re Di Brizzi 303 NY 206 at 214-215 p. 1088
- Carlisle v. Bennett 268 NY 212 at 217-218, at 218 p. 1088, p. 1089
- People v. Epton 19 NY2d 496 at 505-506 p. 1088
- Epton v. New York 390 US 29 p. 1088
- In re Fay 291 NY 198 at 206-207 p. 1089
- Dunham v. Ottinger 243 NY 423 at 433-434 p. 1089
- Miranda v. Arizona 384 US 436 p. 1089
- Myerson v. Lentini Brothers Moving & Storage Co. 33 NY2d 250 at 256 p. 1089
- Johnson v. Zerbst 304 US 458 at 464 p. 1089
- People v. Ron-Ore Soil Systems, Ltd. 81 Misc 2d 121 p. 1089