Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4536: Authorizes a plea of guilty and the payment of fines or penalties electronically via the internet

This bill allows drivers charged with most traffic violations (excluding repeat speeding offenses) to electronically submit a guilty plea and pay fines online instead of appearing in court. It requires defendants to submit an online application detailing the charge, waiving their right to a court hearing, and agreeing to pay the fine under penalty of perjury. The fine remains "tentative" until fully paid online through a court-prescribed method. This change applies to violations under New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law and aims to streamline processing for eligible cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines court processes for minor traffic violations via online guilty pleas/payments, reducing backlogs and improving access to justice - aligning with criminal justice reform goals of efficiency and accessibility.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 20, 2025

S 5559: Relates to remedies for unlawful discharge or discrimination for the exercise of an employee's right to be absent from employment for jury duty

Creates, in addition to the existing sanction of criminal contempt of court, the remedies of labor law civil penalties and employee's right to bring civil action for unlawful discharge, penalty or discrimination on account of the exercise by an employee of a juror's right to be absent from employment by reason of jury service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects employees' right to serve on juries, ensuring court system functionality and civil rights within criminal justice framework.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects employees from retaliation for jury duty by enabling civil actions and penalties, strengthening workplace rights and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2451: Relates to factoring domestic violence convictions into certain family court decisions

Factors domestic violence convictions into family court decisions regarding visitation, custody and parental rights; provides that any parent undergoing mandatory, batterer specific rehabilitation measures shall only be granted supervised visitation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill factors domestic violence convictions into family court decisions, mandates rehabilitation programs, and restricts unsupervised visitation for offenders - aligning with criminal justice reform priorities like victim safety and rehabilitation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2290: Protects the identity of witnesses of hate crimes in discovery proceedings

Protects the identity of witnesses of hate crimes in discovery proceedings by requiring identifying information to be redacted, unless the court rules otherwise for good cause shown.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects hate crime witness identities in discovery, enhancing victim safety and encouraging reporting - aligns with civil rights and effective prosecution in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2396: Allows access to juvenile delinquency records for the purposes of a firearm background check

This bill (A 2396) requires juvenile delinquency records to be accessible during firearm background checks for applicants under 22 years old. It specifically directs the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and the Division of State Police to include these records when conducting background checks under federal and state law for individuals under 22. The bill amends the Family Court Act to mandate this access, overriding other provisions that might restrict such record sharing. It directly affects young adults seeking to purchase firearms by expanding the scope of background checks to include certain juvenile court records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates juvenile delinquency records inclusion in firearm background checks for under-22s, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prevent gun violence by closing a loophole.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7506: Relates to the unauthorized release of sealed records

Bill S 7506 creates a new section in the public officers law concerning the unauthorized release of sealed records. It makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a public officer or employee to intentionally disclose a sealed record or its contents to an unauthorized person, punishable by a fine of up to $1000 without imprisonment. The bill defines "sealed record" by referencing specific sections of the criminal procedure law and family court act. It also outlines several exceptions, such as disclosure by the subject of the record, or when required by law or court order.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents unauthorized disclosure of sealed records, protecting privacy rights and maintaining integrity of criminal justice system procedures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 485: Relates to a tax credit for employment of an individual who has successfully completed a judicial diversion substance abuse treatment program or graduated from drug court

Establishes a tax credit for employment of an individual who has successfully completed a judicial diversion substance abuse treatment program or graduated from drug court.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for employers hiring individuals from substance abuse programs, providing tax relief as a fiscal incentive.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeTax credit incentivizes hiring individuals post-substance abuse treatment/drug court, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentTax credit incentivizes hiring individuals completing substance abuse treatment, expanding employment opportunities for a vulnerable workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4380: Relates to courthouse facility dogs for witnesses

Authorizes courts to exercise discretion permitting a courthouse facility dog for use by witnesses to be used in any judicial proceeding; provides that courts with an available courthouse facility dog must allow a witness under eighteen years of age, or who has a developmental disability, to use a courthouse facility dog to accompany such person while testifying in court; allows any witness who does not meet the criteria of being under eighteen years of age or having a developmental disability to use a courthouse facility dog, if available, to accompany them while testifying in court; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows courthouse facility dogs for vulnerable witnesses (under 18 or with developmental disabilities) to reduce trauma during testimony, supporting fairer court proceedings in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7458: Creates the crime of related use of a lethal or explosive device

Creates the crime of related use of a lethal or explosive device; provides for additional 10 years imprisonment for certain crimes where a lethal or explosive device is used; permits exemption from such additional sentence when the defendant provides court with the source of such lethal or explosive device.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds 10-year mandatory sentence for using lethal/explosive devices, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7198: Relates to the unauthorized release of sealed records

This bill makes it a class B misdemeanor for public officers or employees to intentionally disclose sealed legal records to unauthorized people, punishable by fines up to $1,000 (no jail time). It applies to records sealed under specific laws, such as criminal procedure or family court files, and directly affects government employees handling such sensitive information. Key exceptions include allowing the person whose record is sealed to share it themselves, officers discussing events without confirming sealed details, or disclosures made in good faith to entitled individuals. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prevents unauthorized disclosure of sealed criminal court records by government employees, protecting individual privacy and strengthening court integrity within criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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