third strike in ny

What is the name of your state? ny

if a person gets a third felony conviction (third strike) in new york state is it automatically life in prison? does the judge have leeway to give a lesser sentence? i've heard you can have more than three felonies and still not get life in prison possibly. is this true?

The first strike was a warning shot.
The second strike was a harsh spanking.
The third strike is an old fashoned beating.

Yes, you will get the habitual offender statutes shoved up your ass. Along with bubbas big black rooster.

You deserve life in prison.