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The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Marlon BUTLER, also known as Marlow Butler, Defendant-Appellant.
Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him, upon his plea of guilty, of driving while intoxicated as a felony (Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192[3]; § 1193[1][c][i] ). As part of the plea agreement, County Court stated it would impose a term of incarceration of no more than one year. Defendant failed to appear for the scheduled sentencing and was apprehended approximately seven years later. Contrary to defendant's contention, the court did not abuse its discretion in imposing an enhanced term of incarceration, along with a fine of $1,000 pursuant to Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1193(1)(c)(i). The court advised defendant at the time of the plea colloquy that it would not be bound by the agreed-upon sentence in the event that defendant failed to comply with certain conditions, including appearing for sentencing. Defendant violated the terms of the plea agreement by failing to appear for sentencing, and the court therefore “was no longer bound by the plea promise and could properly impose an enhanced sentence” (People v. Figgins, 87 N.Y.2d 840, 841, 637 N.Y.S.2d 684, 661 N.E.2d 156).
We agree with defendant, however, that it is not clear on the record before us whether the court fixed the amount of the fine or improperly delegated that function (see generally People v. Fuller, 57 N.Y.2d 152, 156-158, 455 N.Y.S.2d 253, 441 N.E.2d 563). We therefore modify the judgment by vacating the amount of the fine, and we remit the matter to County Court to determine that amount.
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously modified on the law by vacating the amount of the fine and as modified the judgment is affirmed, and the matter is remitted to Monroe County Court for further proceedings.
MEMORANDUM:
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Decided: December 21, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
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