Opinion
March 23, 1981
Appeal by defendant, as limited by his motion, from a sentence of the County Court, Nassau County, imposed April 11, 1980, upon his conviction of attempted burglary in the third degree, upon a plea of guilty, the sentence being an indeterminate term of imprisonment with a maximum of four years. Sentence affirmed. No opinion. This case is remitted to the County Court, Nassau County, for further proceedings pursuant to CPL 460.50 (subd 5). Damiani, J.P., Titone and Lazer, JJ., concur.
Defendant's sentence should be reduced to five years' probation, with the condition that he remain in and complete the residential drug treatment program at Samaritan House, in which he was enrolled prior to sentence and has remained since execution of the sentence was stayed. Although I recognize the seriousness of the instant offense, I also recognize that defendant's criminal conduct has been closely related to his drug abuse. I believe that recent efforts by defendant at drug treatment, including his apparently successful participation in the residential program at Samaritan House for more than one year, have shown a real and sincere attempt on his part at rehabilitation. To affirm defendant's sentence of imprisonment at this time might well jeopardize whatever progress toward rehabilitation he has been able to achieve.