PEOPLE v. WEST

Judgment unanimously modified on the law and as modified affirmed and matter remitted to Ontario County Court for further proceedings, in accordance with the following memorandum: The court erred in ordering defendant to pay restitution of $6,081.35 without conducting a hearing to determine the proper amount of restitution (see, Penal Law § 60.27; cf., CPL 400.30). Where the record is insufficient to support a finding as to the proper amount of restitution, "the court must conduct a hearing" (Penal Law § 60.27; People v Bentivegna, 145 A.D.2d 899; People v Millar, 144 A.D.2d 1032; People v Dixon, 134 A.D.2d 877, 878). "`Because defendant was convicted on his plea of guilty, there was no proof developed as to the amount of loss sustained'" (People v Millar, supra, at 1032; People v Dixon, supra). Although the record is not clear, the court appears to have relied on a probation or presentence report in fixing the amount of restitution. Such reports do not provide a sufficient basis upon which to order restitution without a hearing (People v Millar, supra; People v Dixon, supra; People v Sommer, 105 A.D.2d 1052, 1053; People v Clougher, 95 A.D.2d 860). Defendant's failure to request a hearing at the time of sentencing or object to the court's summary imposition of a restitution condition does not relieve the court of its obligation to conduct a hearing sua sponte because of the "`essential nature'" of defendant's right to be sentenced as prescribed by law (People v Fuller, 57 N.Y.2d 152, 156; People v Bentivegna, supra; People v Dixon, supra).