PEOPLE v. DODGE

Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.

Mere eligibility for youthful offender status does not mandate youthful offender treatment. The decision to grant such treatment lies wholly within the discretion of the court ( see, CPL 720.20; People v. Wallace, 246 A.D.2d 676; People v. Vera, 206 A.D.2d 494; People v. Barr, 168 A.D.2d 625). The sentencing court did not improvidently exercise its discretion in denying the defendant youthful offender status.

Mangano, P. J., Santucci, Krausman and Florio, JJ., concur.