New Year's Eve: What is a New York CD (conditional discharge)?

My final blog post for 2011 is: What is a New York CD (conditional discharge)?

I am reminded of a favorite Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, The Places You Will Go” when I think on NY CDs. This is because I believe that New York Criminal court can be an “adventure” of sorts. I recently had someone send me an email asking me what a CD was, and then I checked some message boards. There is plenty of misinformation out on the internet so with this in mind I aspire to bring some light on the subject of CDs.

First, what is a C.D. NOT:

• A CD is NOT a dismissal of the charges. If the charges are Dismissed there is NO sentencing.
• A CD is NOT an expungement of the charges. NYS has NO expungement, it does NOT exist.
• A CD is NOT related to whether or not you have been convicted of a crime. You are considered convicted of a crime whether you plead guilty to a misdemeanor or are found guilty after a trial for a misdemeanor. Violations are considered offenses but are NOT classified as CRIMES. This is a source of endless confusion. Sometimes called Offenses and  violations but "may or may not" be New York State crimes (misdemeanors and felonies) but are they "criminal" convictions. Remember to always consider to that state (New York) not to compare state to state.

Go to my Video on New York CDs here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg_6GE7Dlvo

Basically a CD is a form (type) of sentencing by a Court (Judge).

It is merely a sentencing option.

These are the options at or for sentencing (assuming a plea or a finding of guilt to something):

• There is an Unconditional Discharge. You have NO conditions to discharge your obligation to the Court.  These are rarely given.

• There is a term of jail (incarceration). Whether for a term of weekends, days, weeks, or months.

• There is a term of probation. You get a probation officer.  You must submit to whatever they direct you to do or not do for a period of time. Misdemeanor probation is for three years.

• There is the CD (conditional discharge). I say “the” CD because there is only one type. You have certain (specific) conditions aka obligations to meet to satisfy the Court. The main condition is No new crimes (no new arrests) for a period of time. This is generally for one year. If you violate this main condition then you will be re-sentenced for the offense you plead guilty to, not the original charges. New conditions can also be imposed, such as drug/alcohol counseling, jail, and/or probation.

This is the actual statute:

NEW YORK STATE PENAL LAW

§ 65.05 Sentence of conditional discharge. (Highlights and additions mine.)

    1.  Criteria.  (a)  Except as otherwise required by section 60.05, the

  court may (option) impose (give) a sentence of conditional discharge for an  offense  if

  the  court, having regard to the nature and circumstances of the offense

  and to the history, character and condition (no priors, no aggravators) of the defendant, is of  the

  opinion  that  neither the public interest nor the ends of justice would

  be served by a sentence of imprisonment and that  probation  supervision

  is not appropriate.

    (b)  When a sentence of conditional discharge is imposed for a felony,

  the court shall set forth in the record the reasons for its action.

    2. Sentence. Except to the  extent  authorized  by  paragraph  (d)  of

  subdivision two of section 60.01 of this chapter, when the court imposes

  a sentence of conditional discharge the defendant shall be released with

  respect  to  the  conviction  for  which the sentence is imposed without

  imprisonment or probation supervision but subject, during the period  of

  conditional  discharge,  to  such conditions (obligations) as the court may determine.

  The court shall impose the period of conditional discharge authorized by

  subdivision three of this section and shall specify, in accordance  with

  section  65.10,  the  conditions to be complied with.  If a defendant is

  sentenced pursuant to paragraph (e) of subdivision two of section  65.10

  of  this  chapter,  the  court  shall  require  the administrator of the

  program to provide written notice to  the  court  of  any  violation  of

  program  participation by the defendant. The court may modify or enlarge

  the conditions or, if (the Big If)  the defendant commits  an  additional  offense  or

  violates  a  condition,  revoke  the  sentence  at any time prior to the

  expiration or termination of the period of conditional discharge.

    3. Periods of  conditional  discharge.  Unless  terminated  sooner  in

  accordance  with  the  criminal procedure law, the period of conditional

  discharge shall be as follows:

    (a) Three years in the case of a felony; and

    (b) One year in the case of a misdemeanor or a violation. (could be longer)

    Where the court has required, as a condition of the sentence, that the

  defendant make restitution of the fruits of his or her offense  or  make

  reparation  for  the loss caused thereby and such condition has not been

  satisfied, the court, at any time prior to the expiration or termination

  of the period of conditional discharge, may impose an additional period.

  The length of the additional period shall be fixed by the court  at  the

  time  it  is  imposed  and  shall not be more than two years. All of the

  incidents of the original sentence, including the authority of the court

  to modify or enlarge the conditions, shall continue to apply during such

  additional period.

Lawrence Newman, D.C., J.D.

504 North Aurora Street

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-229-5184

newman.lawrence@gmail.com

ithacadwi.com