Does a section of the New York State Criminal Code offer wide prosecutorial discretion to prosecute a defendant who has committed a similar crime but has not committed the same crime?

"New York", United States of America

The following excerpt is from People v. Thomas, 2018 NY Slip Op 33942 (U) (N.Y. Cty. Ct. 2018):

At the outset, it bears comment that the fact that a statute offers wide prosecutorial discretion does not render it unconstitutional (People v. Eboli, 34 NY2d 281 [1974]). It is well established that, in the absence of legislative intent to the

Page 6

contrary, "overlapping in criminal statutes, and the opportunity for prosecutorial choice they represent, is no bar to prosecution"(Id. at p. 287 (internal citations omitted)). This is true "[d]espite . . . the concomitant opportunity for choice by the District Attorney, prosecution for the higher crime [is] permissible (Id., citing People v. Lubow, 29 NY2d. 58, 67 [1971]).

Other Questions


Is a conspiracy conviction under section 846 of the Criminal Code mandatory minimum sentence for conspiracy to commit a crime punishable by section 841 of the Federal Criminal Code? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for a defendant to be found guilty of a series of criminal charges under New York State Public Prosecutions for failing to comply with the requirements of the Criminal Prosecution Service? ("New York", United States of America)
Is a minor criminal offence included in the criminal history of a defendant under section 4A1.2(c)(2) of the Criminal Code? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
How have the courts interpreted Section 894 of the Criminal Code in the context of an allegation that a defendant committed a criminal offence by sealing currency and receiving stolen currency? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
When counting criminal convictions for career offender purposes under section 4A1.2 of the Criminal Code, is the criminal conviction of a career offender included in the criminal record calculation? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a combined sentence under Section 846 of the New York State Criminal Code apply to a defendant convicted of conspiracy to commit a drug trafficking offence? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a minor criminal offence included in the criminal history of a defendant in the Criminal History of the Criminal Code? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What remedies are available to a state criminal defendant who has been convicted of a federal offence under Section 1983 of the Criminal Code? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
If a defendant denies committing the crime with which he is charged but asserts that if he did commit the crime he was entrapped into doing so, can he rely on these inconsistent defenses? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is it a separate crime for a person to commit a narcotics felony in concert with five or more people under section 848 of the New York State Criminal Code? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.