An appeals court has upheld the three-year prison sentence a judge handed last year to Jennifer A. Hastings, a former Rensselaer County psychologist who pleaded guilty to having sex with a 14-year-old boy she was counseling.
The appellate court’s decision, issued Thursday, rejects the argument made by attorney Stephen Coffey that Judge Patrick McGrath did not properly take into account all factors when deciding upon the sentence he issued in February of last year.
Hastings, 35, pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree rape and other sex abuse charges in October of 2008.
At that time, McGrath made no commitment to a particular sentence. While the unanimous appellate court decision notes it appeared McGrath seemed “prematurely” set on sending her to state prison before the pre-sentencing investigation was done and its results reviewed, the appellate judges concluded McGrath later appropriately considered all factors and circumstances, including mitigating ones.
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While the acts were not committed forcibly, a 14-year-old is too young to consent to sex with an adult under state law.
Following her arrest, Hastings was suspended without pay from her county job. She later resigned and her license to practice psychology was revoked.
Echoing the trial judge’s words at sentencing — where McGrath told her she was “given this young boy to help” and “did just the opposite” — the appellate decision notes Hastings abused the trust placed in her former position in concluding her prison sentence is not excessive.
Hastings is currently incarcerated in the Albion Correctional Facility in western New York.
She will remain behind bars until at least August 27, 2011, when she is eligible for release a few months early for good behavior, according to prison records.
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Originally Posted by swivel
Honestly, go find someone a little closer to your own age, who might actually have some experience! Yeesh!! 
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