Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6312: Requires participation in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program for certain first offenders

This bill requires courts to mandate alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs for first-time offenders convicted of drunk driving (specifically violations of Vehicle and Traffic Law sections 1192 or 1192-a). It directly affects individuals with no prior similar convictions who are sentenced for these offenses. Courts must require attendance at approved rehab programs as part of sentencing, with eligibility excluding those who recently participated in similar programs or have prior violations. Completion of the program can terminate any prison sentence imposed for the offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehab for first-time DWI offenders, promoting rehabilitation over punishment to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 696: Requires foster care records of incarcerated individual to be sent to a correctional facility

This bill requires correctional facilities to receive foster care records for incarcerated individuals who were previously in foster care. Specifically, it mandates that the Department of Correction obtain records detailing when a person entered foster care and the duration of that care, then deliver copies to the correctional facility housing them. This applies to all correctional facilities, including juvenile detention centers, and directly affects incarcerated individuals with foster care histories. The policy change ensures facilities have this background information to support appropriate care and programming.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides foster care history to correctional facilities to inform rehabilitation, aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 8013: Relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment

Provides that in order to present the claim for unjust conviction and imprisonment, claimant must establish by documentary evidence that: they have been convicted of one or more felonies or misdemeanors against the state and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and have served all or any part of the sentence; and they have had the one or more felonies and misdemeanors dismissed with prejudice following serving all or part of the sentence; and their claim is not time-barred.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables claims for unjust conviction/conviction, providing redress for wrongful imprisonment - directly supports civil rights and reform in criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4206: Requires courts to consider whether an individual poses a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community when imposing a securing order

Requires courts to consider whether an individual poses a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community when imposing a securing order; makes stalking in the second and third degree a qualifying offense; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to assess actual danger risk before imposing securing orders, promoting due process and preventing unwarranted restrictions on individuals, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 123: Limits the admissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding

Establishes an assumption of the inadmissibility of evidence of a defendant's creative or artistic expression against such defendant in a criminal proceeding; requires the proffering party to affirmatively prove that the evidence is admissible by clear and convincing evidence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts use of defendant's creative expression as evidence, protecting civil rights and defendant rights in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6684: Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant

Permits at the discretion of the court certain members of the deceased victim's family to read statements in court during the sentencing of a defendant, rather than allowing only a single member of the victim's family to read a statement in court, upon consultation with counsel for the defendant and the people.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows multiple victim family members to share impact statements during sentencing, enhancing victim voice in criminal justice proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 694: Relates to prohibiting civilian drone use within 500 ft of a correctional facility

Relates to prohibiting civilian drone use within 500 feet of a correctional facility except when in use under the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts drone use near correctional facilities to enhance security, directly protecting correctional infrastructure within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 973: Relates to expanding the offenses to which a child witness may testify by use of closed-circuit television to include murder

This bill expands the use of closed-circuit television for child witnesses in criminal trials to include murder cases. It specifically adds murder in the first degree (section 125.27) and murder in the second degree (section 125.25) to the list of offenses where children can testify via closed-circuit TV instead of in person. The change directly affects children who are witnesses in murder prosecutions, allowing them to testify remotely to reduce trauma. The bill amends existing criminal procedure law to include these murder statutes under the existing provisions for child witnesses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands remote testimony for child witnesses in murder cases to reduce trauma, aligning with victim protection in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5290: Requires that a defendant must be over twenty-five years old to be guilty of felony murder

This bill (S 5290) changes the law to require that a defendant must be over 25 years old to be convicted of felony murder. It applies specifically to cases where someone dies during the commission or escape from certain violent crimes like robbery, burglary, kidnapping, or sexual assault. The law amends the penal code to exclude defendants under 25 from felony murder charges in these scenarios, meaning younger individuals cannot be held liable for felony murder even if they participated in the underlying crime. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExcludes under-25 defendants from felony murder charges, reducing harsh sentencing for youth and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 12, 2026

A 707: Directs the division of criminal justice services to promulgate safety standards and training requirements for the protection of law enforcement against biological hazards posed by certain persons in custody

Directs the division of criminal justice services to promulgate safety standards and training requirements for the protection of law enforcement staff against biological hazards posed by spitting of persons in custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates safety standards/training for law enforcement against biological hazards from inmates, directly enhancing officer safety within criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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