People v. Estevez

OPINION OF THE COURT

Joseph J. Maltese, J.

The People are reducing the charges on each of the above dockets to class B misdemeanors and now move to consolidate them for the purpose of a single trial pursuant to CPL 200.20 (2).

The defense opposes the motion to consolidate and asserts that if consolidation is granted and if the court decides to sentence the defendant on each count consecutively, then the defendant would be exposed to an aggregate sentence of more than six months, which would entitle the defendant to a trial by jury.

This court holds that the prosecutor cannot in good faith reduce…