People v. Grant

OPINION OF THE COURT

Nicholas Iacovetta, J.

*513The question addressed by this decision is one of first impression. It concerns the novel issue of whether an altered cable converter box is a “written instrument” as defined in Penal Law § 170.00 (1) thereby making it a “forged instrument” within the purview of Penal Law § 170.25.

Background

The Grand Jury evidence establishes that Police Officer Patrick Brown was present inside the defendant’s home on April 20, 2000 when he observed the defendant operating two television sets, each connected to separate cable converter boxes, each television receiving…