Convicted of one count of offering a false instrument in the second degree, Joseph Awuah was sentenced to a $750 fine by the New York County Criminal Court.
On appeal, Awuah asked for the sentence to be reduced "in the interest of justice." But because he had entered into a plea bargain, and had received precisely what had been negotiated, the Appellate Term, First Department, thought the guy was precluded from backing out of the arrangement--particularly given the felonies with which he had originally been charged.
How instrumental was that?
To view a copy of the Appellate Term's decision, please use the following link: People v. Awuah