Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 539: Relates to a negotiated sentence of imprisonment

Provides that a pre-sentence investigation and written report thereon shall not be required where a negotiated sentence of imprisonment for a term of three hundred sixty-five days or less has been mutually agreed upon by the parties with consent of the judge, as a result of a conviction or revocation of a sentence of probation; removes the requirement of solely in a city with a population of one million or more.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves pre-sentence investigation requirement for negotiated 365-day sentences, streamlining process and reducing bureaucratic hurdles in sentencing - aligns with reform efforts to improve efficiency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 3816: Requires mercantile establishments to cease collections under certain circumstances

This bill requires stores (mercantile establishments) to immediately stop trying to collect money or recover merchandise from customers if a court finds them "not guilty" of larceny (theft) at that store. It directly affects adults, emancipated minors, and parents/guardians of minors who were falsely accused. The key provision mandates that once a court issues a not-guilty verdict in such a case, the store cannot pursue civil claims against them, and all collection efforts must cease immediately. The law would take effect as soon as it is signed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStops civil collections after criminal acquittal, protecting falsely accused individuals from financial harm - aligns with criminal justice reform by upholding defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6507: Defines the crime of sex trafficking of a child, person who is mentally disabled, or person who is mentally incapacitated

This bill defines sex trafficking involving children (under 18), mentally disabled individuals, or mentally incapacitated people as a class B felony. It makes it illegal for anyone 21+ to intentionally profit from or advance another person’s prostitution in these cases, removing the defense that the perpetrator didn’t know the victim’s age or disability status. Key terms like "advances prostitution" (facilitating the act) and "profits from prostitution" (receiving money from the activity) are clearly defined in the law. The bill directly affects victims in these vulnerable groups and those who exploit them, strengthening penalties for traffickers. It does not change existing definitions of "mentally disabled" or "mentally incapacitated," which refer to established legal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for sex trafficking of vulnerable groups, removes defenses, advancing victim protection and accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9163: Provides for the review of policies and practices pertaining to emerging infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities

Provides for the review of policies and practices pertaining to infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities, including the treatment and prevention of the disease among incarcerated individuals and staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses health policies in correctional facilities, improving conditions for incarcerated individuals, a key aspect of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates review of infectious disease policies in correctional facilities, enhancing treatment/prevention for inmates/staff, strengthening public health response within healthcare system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7312: Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain surveillance, recording and investigation standards

Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain standards regarding the surveillance of incarcerated individuals and detainees, and access to such surveillance recordings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to adhere to surveillance standards, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal justice oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 340: Permits the sealing of records of certain nonviolent misdemeanor or nonsexual misdemeanor criminal offenses

Permits the sealing of records of certain nonviolent misdemeanor or non-sexual misdemeanor criminal offenses; defines the term "eligible misdemeanor"; excludes certain misdemeanor offenses as eligible misdemeanors for the purposes of conditional sealing; lists certain eligibility requirements for sealing; provides an order granting sealing under this section shall restore the individual concerned, in the contemplation of the laws, to the status such individual occupied before the arrest or institution of criminal proceedings for the crime that was the subject of the sealing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePermits sealing nonviolent misdemeanor records, reducing barriers to employment/housing and aiding rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7503: Authorizes courts to reduce or modify sentences for certain individuals when such sentence is deemed to be greater than necessary to achieve the purposes of sentencing

Authorizes courts to reduce or modify sentences for certain individuals when such sentence is deemed to be greater than necessary to achieve the purposes of sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows courts to reduce excessive sentences, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to prevent unnecessary harshness and promote proportionality in sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7190: Directs the attorney general to review incidents where a civilian is killed by a police officer

This bill requires New York's Attorney General to review any incident where a police officer's conduct allegedly causes a civilian's serious injury or death within 60 days of the incident. The Attorney General must then decide whether the case stays with the local district attorney or is handled by a special prosecutor appointed by the governor. This applies specifically to officer-involved incidents involving civilian casualties, changing the initial review process for such cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates independent AG review of officer-involved civilian deaths, enhancing police accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 6773: Relates to tampering with physical evidence and obstructing governmental administration

Includes a police or peace officer turning off their body camera or deleting a body camera recording in the crime of tampering with physical evidence and obstructing governmental administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes police tampering with body camera evidence, enhancing accountability and transparency in law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7659: Relates to motorcycle profiling

This bill requires municipal police training programs to include instruction on motorcycle profiling in basic and in-service officer training. It also mandates local law enforcement agencies to add a policy statement explicitly condemning motorcycle profiling to their existing anti-profiling policies. Motorcycle profiling is defined as illegally stopping or targeting individuals based solely on riding a motorcycle or wearing related gear, without constitutional justification. The law applies to all municipal police departments in New York and takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates training and policy against motorcycle profiling, protecting civil rights and enhancing police accountability in law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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