DEFENSE COUNSEL SUBMITTED EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A DOWNWARD DEPARTURE FROM THE PRESUMPTIVE RISK LEVEL BUT COUNTY COURT DID NOT RULE ON IT; MATTER REMITTED FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS (THIRD DEPT).

The Third Department, remitting the matter, noted that defense counsel submitted evidence in support of a downward departure from the presumptive risk level but County Court made no findings on the request:

The record reflects that defendant’s counsel submitted various evidence, including a letter from a social worker who apparently was treating defendant and information regarding, among other things, defendant’s consistent compliance with probation, in support of the request for a downward departure. As County Court did not set forth on the record any findings or conclusions on that request, we are unable to assess the court’s reasoning. As such, we reverse and remit the matter for County Court to determine whether a departure from the presumptive risk level indicated by defendant’s point total is warranted and to set forth its requisite findings of fact and conclusions … . People v Hoffman, 2021 NY Slip Op 06013, Third Dept 11-4-21