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APPELLATE DIVISION REDUCED DEFENDANT’S SENTENCE USING ITS PLENARY POWER, DESPITE THE FACTS THAT (1) THE SENTENCE WAS WITHIN PERMISSIBLE LIMITS, (2) THE SENTENCING COURT DID NOT ABUSE ITS DISCRETION, AND (3) DEFENDANT HAD AN EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL HISTORY (FIRST DEPT).

The First Department, over a dissent, exercised its power to modify an unduly harsh or severe sentence that is within the permissible range. Defendant, who was homeless, attempted to buy toothpaste with a counterfeit $20 bill. The sentence was reduced from 4 to 8 years to 3 to 6 years:

The Appellate Division has “broad plenary power to modify a sentence that is unduly harsh or severe under the circumstances, even though the sentence may be within the permissible statutory range” … . A trial court need not abuse its discretion for the Appellate Division to substitute its own discretion … . We may “reduce a sentence in the interests of justice, taking into account factors such as defendant’s age, physical and mental health, and remorse” … .

The immediate object of defendant’s crime was to purchase basic human necessities, including food and toothpaste. In consideration of the fact that he was a 53 year-old, unemployed homeless man, with longstanding medical and substance abuse issues, a reduction of his sentence to 3 to 6 years is appropriate.

Defendant’s extensive criminal history does not preclude a determination that his sentence is excessive … . People v Mitchell, 2019 NY Slip Op 00371, First Dept 1-22-19

 

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