People v. Farrar, 52 N.Y.2d 302 (1981)

A sentencing court must exercise its own independent discretion when imposing a sentence, even after a plea agreement has been reached, and must be free to impose a lesser sentence if warranted; however, the prosecution must be given the opportunity to withdraw its consent to the plea agreement if the court intends to impose a less severe sentence than originally negotiated.

Summary

Defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter after being indicted for murder and other charges. The plea agreement stipulated a sentence of 8⅓ to 25 years, or 12½ to 25 years if she was a second felony offender, which she was later determined to be. At sentencing, the defense argued for a lesser sentence than the agreed-upon 12½ to 25 years, but the judge felt bound by the plea agreement. The Appellate Division reversed, holding that the judge failed to exercise sentencing discretion. The New York Court of Appeals affirmed as modified, ruling that while the sentencing court must exercise its own discretion, the prosecution should be allowed to withdraw its consent to the plea if a lesser sentence is imposed, absent prejudice to the defendant.

Facts

The defendant was indicted for felony murder, intentional murder, attempted murder, robbery, burglary, and criminal possession of a weapon, all stemming from her involvement in a robbery where a non-participant died. Following negotiations, the defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, satisfying the entire indictment. The plea agreement specified an 8⅓ to 25-year sentence, increased to 12½ to 25 years if she was a second felony offender. The defendant was found to be a predicate felon.

Procedural History

The trial court sentenced the defendant to 12½ to 25 years, feeling bound by the plea agreement. The Appellate Division reversed, vacating the sentence and remanding for resentencing, instructing the sentencing court to exercise its discretion. The People appealed to the New York Court of Appeals.

Issue(s)

Whether a sentencing court is bound by a previously negotiated plea agreement when imposing a sentence, or whether it must exercise its own independent discretion.

Holding

No, because the sentencing decision is a matter committed to the exercise of the court’s discretion and that it can be made only after careful consideration of all facts available at the time of sentencing. However, the People must be given the opportunity to withdraw their consent to the plea if a sanction less severe than that negotiated is to be imposed.

Court’s Reasoning

The court emphasized that the sentencing decision rests with the court and must be based on the facts available at the time of sentencing, considering factors such as the crime, the defendant’s circumstances, and the purposes of penal sanctions (societal protection, rehabilitation, and deterrence). The court cannot be bound by a prior commitment made at the plea stage, as further information may become available that impacts the appropriate sentence. Quoting People v. Selikoff, the court stated that the sentencing function rests primarily with the Judge, whose ultimate obligation is to impose an appropriate sentence and who must exercise his or her responsibility at the time of sentencing in the light of information obtained from the presentence report or other source. While sentence bargaining is a legitimate part of the plea process, the ultimate sentencing determination remains with the court.

The court also noted that the State’s legislative policy requires the consent of both the court and the prosecutor for a plea to a lesser offense. “Where the record shows that the prosecutor’s consent to a plea is premised on a negotiated sentence and a lesser sentence is later deemed more appropriate, the People should be given the opportunity to withdraw their consent.” This ensures fairness and recognizes the prosecutor’s role in the prosecution. The court clarified that the People’s application to withdraw consent need not be granted in all cases, especially where the defendant would be prejudiced by a vacatur of the plea.