PEOPLE v. SAFFOLD (2017)

On appeal from an order denying his application for resentencing pursuant to the 2009 Drug Law Reform Act (see CPL 440.46), defendant contends that County Court erred in concluding that certain factors overcame the statutory presumption in favor of resentencing. We conclude that the court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's application.

It is well settled that a “defendant who is eligible for resentencing pursuant to CPL 440.46 enjoys a statutory presumption in favor of resentencing ․ However, resentencing is not automatic, and the determination is left to the discretion of the” sentencing court (People v. Bethea, 145 AD3d 738, 738; see People v. Arroyo, 99 AD3d 515, 515, lv denied 20 NY3d 1059). Contrary to defendant's contention, the court did not abuse its discretion in determining that “substantial justice dictated denial of resentencing, given defendant's violent criminal history and poor prison disciplinary record” (People v. Alvarez, 94 AD3d 587, 587, lv denied 19 NY3d 956; see People v. Welch, 110 AD3d 1453, 1453, lv denied 22 NY3d 1044; People v. Gatewood, 87 AD3d 825, 826, lv denied 17 NY3d 903), and “the seriousness of the instant offense” (People v. Parker, 107 AD3d 1017, 1019, lv denied 21 NY3d 1076).

It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.

MEMORANDUM: