Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Thomas C. Lancaster, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1970-04-09
Citations: 34 A.D.2d 727
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Thomas C. Lancaster, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 34
Pages: 727–728

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Thomas C. Lancaster, Appellant.

Opinion:
Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and action remitted to Onondaga County Court for a jury trial. Memorandum: Appellant was 17 years old when indicted for grand larceny, third degree. While represented by counsel, appellant signed a consent to be treated as a youthful offender and after investigation he was determined to be eligible for such treat ment. Upon arraignment he was informed that having consented to youthful offender treatment he was entitled to a trial but without a jury. Appellant then pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a reformatory period of imprisonment up to four years. This appeal presents the same issue decided by this court in the case of People v. Sawyer (33 A D 2d 242). The opinion in Sawyer (p. 245) fully sets forth our reasoning and cites the authorities upon which we rely in holding that " Appellant was effectively denied that right [trial by jury] when he in substance was required to consent to a nonjury trial as a prerequisite to consideration for adjudication as a youthful offender." This denial of his constitutional right to a jury trial for a serious crime requires a reversal of appellant's conviction. (Appeal from judgment of Onondaga County Court adjudging defendant a youthful offender.) Present—Goldman, P. J., Witmer, Gabrielli, Moule and Bastow, JJ.