PEOPLE v. UNDERWOOD (2024)

Judgment, Supreme Court, New York County (Brendan Lantry, J., at plea;  Ann D. Thompson, J., at sentencing), rendered October 31, 2023, convicting defendant of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and sentencing him to a term of two years, unanimously modified, as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice, to the extent of vacating the surcharge and fees imposed at sentencing, and otherwise affirmed.

Defendant made a valid waiver of his right to appeal (see People v. Thomas, 34 N.Y.3d 545, 122 N.Y.S.3d 226, 144 N.E.3d 970 [2019], cert denied 589 U.S. ––––, 140 S.Ct. 2634, 206 L.Ed.2d 512 [2020];  People v. Bryant, 28 N.Y.3d 1094, 1096, 45 N.Y.S.3d 335, 68 N.E.3d 60 [2016]), which forecloses review of his excessive sentence claim.  In any event, we perceive no basis for reducing the sentence.

Based on our own interest of justice powers, we vacate the mandatory surcharge and fees imposed on defendant at sentencing (see People v. Chirinos, 190 A.D.3d 434, 135 N.Y.S.3d 641 [1st Dept. 2021]).  We note that the People do not oppose this relief.