People v. CARL B.

Opinion

RICHARDSON, J.

— In this case we review and consider the scope of a sentencing court’s discretion, under section 707.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to accept or reject the recommendation of the Youth Authority (YA) that a minor defendant be committed to a YA facility rather than to state prison. As will appear, although we decline to hold that YA’s recommendation is absolutely binding upon the sentencing court, nevertheless we conclude that YA’s recommendation is entitled to great weight, that ordinarily it should be followed in the absence of *215substantial countervailing…