New York Court of Appeals April 2, 1987 (People v. Marrero)

lead-opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

Bellacosa, J.

The defense of mistake of law (Penal Law § 15.20 [2] [a], [d]) is not available to a Federal corrections officer arrested in a Manhattan social club for possession of a loaded .38 caliber automatic pistol who claimed he mistakenly believed he was entitled, pursuant to the interplay of CPL 2.10, 1.20 and Penal Law § 265.