NY S08944

Allows defendants to enter guilty pleas outside standard statutory restrictions when the court permits, the prosecutor consents, and both agree the plea serves the interest of justice

Requires consideration of the nature and circumstances of the criminal conduct, available evidence, and the defendant's history and character before approving such pleas

Permits repeat felony offenders (second felony offenders, second violent felony offenders, persistent violent felony offenders) to receive sentences as if they had no predicate felony status under these interest-of-justice provisions

Mandates that factors supporting the plea be placed on the record, though failure to do so does not entitle the defendant to have the plea set aside

Takes effect immediately and applies to all pleas entered and sentences imposed on or after the effective date