Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Rene Otero, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2008-02-21
Citations: 48 A.D.3d 318
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Rene Otero, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 48
Pages: 318–319

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Rene Otero, Appellant.
[852 NYS2d 88]

Opinion:
Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Arlene R. Silver-man, J.), entered on or about October 11, 2005, which adjudicated defendant a risk level three offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act (Correction Law art 6-C), unanimously affirmed, without costs.
Defendant, who does not contest the assessment of 165 points, well over the 110-point threshold for a level-three adjudication, asks this Court to reclassify him as a level one sex offender. We perceive no basis for a discretionary downward departure (see People v Guaman, 8 AD3d 545 [2004]). Defendant's educational and professional achievements are outweighed by the serious nature of his crimes, the age and number of victims, his prior record and his 1998 parole violation. Defendant has not shown that his academic degrees and credentials as a counselor would prevent him from reoffending; we note that defendant relapsed into substance abuse in 1998, after already becoming a counselor. Concur—Lippman, P.J., Andrias, Nardelli, Buckley and Acosta, JJ.