People v. Trait

— Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: The right to the effective assistance of counsel is guaranteed by both the Federal and State Constitutions (US Const 6th Amend; NY Const, art I, § 6). The constitutional requirement is met so long as the evidence, the law, and the circumstances of a particular case, viewed in totality and as of the time of the representation, reveal that the attorney provided meaningful representation (People v Baldi, 54 NY2d 137, 147). In reviewing claims of ineffective counsel, our concern is to avoid confusing true…