Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Assembly Oct 16, 2025

A 934: Relates to peremptory challenges where there are two or more defendants

This bill changes rules for peremptory challenges (challenges to exclude jurors without reason) in criminal trials with two or more defendants. It specifies that when defendants are tried jointly, they are treated as a single party for challenge purposes. The key provision requires that a peremptory challenge must be allowed if a majority of defendants agree or if there is a tie with an even number of defendants. This directly affects defendants in multi-defendant criminal cases by clarifying when joint challenges can be exercised.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies peremptory challenges in joint trials, requiring majority consent to exclude jurors, protecting defendants' rights in multi-defendant cases.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 2551: Increases the fines imposed on a corporation for an offense defined within the penal law

This bill increases maximum fines for corporations convicted of crimes under New York's criminal law. It raises the top fine for felony convictions from $10,000 to $80,000 and for certain serious misdemeanors from $5,000 to $40,000. For offenses where fines are based on corporate gain, the maximum now triples that gain amount. Signed into law in October 2025, it directly affects corporations found guilty of criminal offenses in New York.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases corporate fines for crimes, aligning with stricter sentencing indicators per oppose definition.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Assembly Oct 16, 2025

A 4159: Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to certain peer support advocates based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration

Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to peer support advocates who are certified or licensed and are participating in the provision of corrections-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers for formerly incarcerated peer advocates in correctional treatment programs, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through direct service access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers for certified peer advocates in correctional substance use disorder treatment, improving access to mental health services within healthcare context.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 4906: Provides for certain victim statements to be taken at their workplace instead of the police department

Provides for certain victim statements to be taken at their workplace instead of the police department where such workplace was the scene of the crime and is a hospital, emergency medical facility, nursing home or residential health care facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines victim statement collection at crime scene workplaces, reducing trauma and improving cooperation - aligns with victim rights in criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Sep 26, 2025

S 4767: Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities

Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training for autism/developmental disability interactions, reducing potential harm and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improved officer conduct and civil rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 2695: Relates to admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress

Prohibits the admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress in civil actions or proceedings; provides limited exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits victim-blaming evidence in court, aligns with criminal justice reform protecting civil rights and reducing bias in proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1245: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year for community safety and restorative justice programs

This Senate Resolution (R 1245) requires the state to create and approve an itemized list of organizations receiving funds for community safety and restorative justice programs in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects local government agencies, community-based nonprofits, and service providers (like victim support groups, legal aid organizations, and violence prevention programs) by mandating that all allocated funds - totaling over $1 million - must be distributed according to a Senate-approved plan. Key provisions include requiring Senate leadership and the budget director to approve the grant list or allocation method before funds are spent, and allowing limited fund transfers between state agencies like victim services or domestic violence prevention offices. The resolution specifies exact amounts for 28 grantees, including $200,000 to Empire Justice Center and $100,000 to Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment Inc., for programs addressing issues like domestic violence, gun violence prevention, and alternatives to incarceration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized fund distribution for community safety/restorative justice programs, ensuring $1M+ in allocated budget supports essential services without defunding.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds restorative justice programs including victim support and violence prevention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and community safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1237: Establishes an itemized list of grantees for the 2024-25 state fiscal year for services and expenses, grants or reimbursement of expenses incurred by providers of community safety and restorative justice programs

Senate Resolution R1237 requires an itemized list of grantees for state funds allocated to community safety and restorative justice programs during the 2024-25 fiscal year. It directly affects local governments, non-profit organizations, and community-based providers offering services like survivor support for sexual assault/domestic violence, gun violence prevention, legal aid, and alternatives to incarceration. The bill mandates that any allocation plan must be approved by the Senate President and Budget Director, then passed as a Senate resolution with a majority vote. This ensures transparency in distributing funds for programs including re-entry initiatives, community supervision, and violence reduction strategies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community safety/restorative justice programs including alternatives to incarceration, aligning with reform indicators like reducing recidivism and non-punitive solutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 12, 2025

R 1251: Establishes a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations for the 2025-26 state fiscal year for grants or reimbursement of certain expenses by local governments

Senate Resolution 1251 establishes a required itemized list of grantees for 2025-26 state funding allocated to local governments and community-based nonprofits providing legal services (including domestic violence survivor support and indigent client representation) and violence prevention programs across upstate New York. The resolution mandates that all funding distribution plans - detailing exact grant amounts for specific organizations - must be approved by a majority of the full Senate via roll call vote. It specifically lists recipients like Albany Law School ($87,500), Legal Aid Society of Rochester ($218,750), and others, formalizing prior resolutions (R2704, R1406, R2693) for these programs. This procedural resolution ensures transparency in how state funds are distributed for criminal/civil legal aid and community safety initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates itemized funding distribution for essential legal services and violence prevention programs, promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds legal services, domestic violence support, and violence prevention programs - directly advancing criminal justice services for indigent clients and community safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 3257: Relates to preferred source status for entities that provide employment to certain persons

Includes entities that provide employment or services to formerly incarcerated persons in the preferred source exemption for purposes of state purchasing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes employment for formerly incarcerated persons through state purchasing preferences, directly reducing recidivism and supporting criminal justice reform via reentry programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill incentivizes state contracts for businesses employing formerly incarcerated persons, expanding employment opportunities for a vulnerable workforce.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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