People v. Roberts

Decision Date28 October 1970
Citation315 N.Y.S.2d 208,35 A.D.2d 760
PartiesThe PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Alvin ROBERTS, Appellant.
CourtNew York Supreme Court — Appellate Division

John F. O'Mara, Chemung County Dist. Atty., Elmira, for respondent.

Samuel J. Castellino, Chemung County Public Defender, Elmira, for appellant.

Before HERLIHY, P.J., and REYNOLDS, STALEY, COOKE and SWEENEY, JJ.

MEMORANDUM DECISION.

Appeal from a judgment of the County Court of Chemung County, rendered August 25, 1969, convicting defendant on his plea of guilty of rape in the first degree.

Appellant was indicted with four others for rape in the first degree, assault in the first degree, robbery in the second degree and sodomy in the first degree. His attorney's application that an investigation be made to determine defendant's eligibility for youthful offender treatment was opposed by the District Attorney and denied by the court after consideration during a two day adjournment. Thereafter defendant pleaded guilty to rape in the first degree in full satisfaction of the indictment and was sentenced to an indeterminate term of not less than four years and not more than twelve years.

No recommendation was made to the County Court by the Grand Jury or the District Attorney that defendant be investigated to determine whether he was eligible to be adjudged a youthful offender. The court could have directed an investigation for that purpose (Code Crim.Proc. § 913--g) but this matter was discretionary with it, the court having the right, in exercising its discretion, to weigh whatever facts were available with reference to such matters as the crimes charged, the previous reputation of defendant and his attitude towards society (Matter of Tschornyi v. County Court of Co. of Tompkins, 283 App.Div. 910, 130 N.Y.S.2d 146, mot. for lv. to app. den. 307 N.Y. 942, 122 N.E.2d 338; cf. People v. Carpenteur, 21 N.Y.2d 571, 573, 574, 289 N.Y.S.2d 615, 617, 236 N.E.2d 850, 851), and no basis has been demonstrated warranting interference with that discretion.

Contrary to appellant's contention, the court's statement that the minimum sentence was so fixed 'because this was a serious crime committed in the complainant's own home, inflicting serious injuries on the complainant and by more than one individual' adequately complied with section 70.00 (subd. 3, par. (b)) of the Penal Law (People v. Williams, 34 A.D.2d 695, 309 N.Y.S.2d 640). The mere fact that the statute does not...

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7 cases
  • U.S. ex rel. Frasier v. Casscles
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit
    • February 18, 1976
    ...36 A.D.2d 825, 321 N.Y.S.2d 457 (2d Dept. 1971), aff'd, 30 N.Y.2d 509, 329 N.Y.S.2d 823, 280 N.E.2d 652 (1972); People v. Roberts, 35 A.D.2d 760, 315 N.Y.S.2d 208 (3d Dept. 1970). Furthermore, the state court judge had before him the prosecutor's affidavit, filed in opposition to petitioner......
  • People v. Farr
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court
    • December 16, 1974
    ...where personal rights and liberties are concerned. The right to equal protection of the Laws is such a right. People v. Roberts, 35 A.D.2d 760, 315 N.Y.S.2d 208 (3d Dept. 1970). The Court is also aware that the Appellate Courts in this State have ruled on some aspects of the Sentencing Prov......
  • People v. Woodman
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court
    • April 24, 1978
    ...180, 305 N.Y.S.2d 316 (1969)), though after the plea of guilty by the instant defendant in December 1967. (See also People v. Roberts, 35 A.D.2d 750, 315 N.Y.S.2d 208 (1970); People v. Johnson, supra ). Hence, any assumption that the defendant's counsel's failure to seek youthful offender t......
  • People v. Honsinger
    • United States
    • New York Supreme Court — Appellate Division
    • June 28, 1990
    ...are distinguishing factors such as exist in this case (see, People v. Warden, 141 A.D.2d 913, 914, 529 N.Y.S.2d 230; People v. Roberts, 35 A.D.2d 760, 315 N.Y.S.2d 208). There was evidence which County Court could credit in sentencing defendant that he was the instigating factor in the deci......
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