Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4134: Provides domestic violence victims and crime victims with supervision while taking depositions

Enacts the "Lydia Peikon Cotz act"; provides domestic violence victims and crime victims with supervision while taking depositions; directs the court to provide a secure location within the courthouse, and a court officer, for such persons taking depositions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides secure court supervision for victims during depositions, enhancing victim safety and access to justice within criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Victims' Rights

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7208: Relates to the criminal use of a dangerous instrument on school grounds during the commission of a felony; repealer

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure and penal laws to change how certain assault charges are handled in court. It requires defendants charged with second-degree assault (a class D felony) to enter a guilty plea, overriding other legal provisions. The bill also updates the definition of a "dangerous instrument" to explicitly include vehicles and umbrellas used in ways that could cause serious harm. These changes apply to cases involving assault during felonies, not specifically school grounds as the abstract suggests. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates guilty pleas for assault charges, expands dangerous instrument definition to include vehicles/umbrellas, reducing defendant rights and increasing punitive sentencing85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4679: Relates to unsealing unfounded child abuse and maltreatment reports in certain circumstances

Relates to unsealing unfounded child abuse and maltreatment reports upon a court order finding that justice requires the information in such reports is necessary for the determination of charges being investigated by a grand jury or for the purposes of prosecuting a violation of the penal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables unsealing unfounded child abuse reports for criminal prosecutions, enhancing procedural access in criminal justice proceedings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4513: Relates to conviction sealing for eligible youth

This bill allows eligible youth who were not designated as youthful offenders by a court (but met the criteria for that status) to apply for conviction sealing. It expands sealing eligibility to include most offenses, excluding only serious felonies (like class A-I/A-II) and certain sex offenses, though it adds a pathway for armed felony convictions if judges find mitigating circumstances or minor involvement. Youth previously denied sealing under this process can reapply. The change directly affects young people seeking to clear certain criminal records, with specific court determinations required for some cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands conviction sealing for eligible youth, reducing barriers to rehabilitation and reintegration, a key criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4130: Provides legal assistance to youth ordered by the court into the custody of the office of children and family services and placed or committed to a state operated juvenile detention center

Provides legal assistance to youth ordered by the court into the custody of the office of children and family services and placed or committed to a state operated juvenile detention center.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides legal assistance to juveniles in detention, protecting rights and aligning with reform by ensuring due process in youth criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6728: Relates to the confidentiality of personnel records of police officers, firefighters, correction officers and probation officers

This bill makes personnel records for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, and probation officers confidential. It prohibits public inspection or disclosure without the officer's written consent, except under strict court orders. Courts may only grant access after a hearing where all parties can be heard, and judges must verify the request has sufficient factual basis before sealing records for review. The law does not apply to prosecutors, attorneys general, or agencies like grand juries that legally require such records for official duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts public access to law enforcement personnel records, weakening transparency and oversight mechanisms in criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4443: Relates to the residence of a sex offender near a school and the victim of such offender

This bill restricts where certain sex offenders can live. It prohibits Level 3 sex offenders (with victims under 18) from residing within school grounds as defined by law, and bans all Level 2 and 3 offenders from living within a quarter mile of a victim's workplace or residence (or a deceased victim's former home if family members still live there). These restrictions apply to offenders under supervision or probation and must be included in court release conditions. The law aims to limit offender proximity to schools and victims, with guidelines requiring local probation departments to consider factors like neighborhood concentration of offenders and access to treatment programs. It directly affects sex offenders designated Level 2 or 3 under New York's registration system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts sex offender residency near schools/victims to enhance public safety and prevent recidivism, aligning with victim protection and community safety goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2361: Relates to adolescent offenders authorized to be removed to family court

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to exclude certain adolescent offenders from being transferred to family court. Specifically, it exempts minors who displayed a shotgun, rifle, or deadly weapon during their offense, or who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, from the category of offenders eligible for family court jurisdiction. The change means these individuals would instead face prosecution in adult criminal court rather than juvenile family court. The law directly affects adolescent defendants charged with offenses involving firearms, altering the criteria for court placement. This policy change takes effect on November 1st following enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExcludes violent juvenile offenders from family court jurisdiction, directing them to adult criminal court instead of juvenile rehabilitation, opposing reform efforts to keep minors in juvenile system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3142: Relates to the timing of discovery for the crime of homicide

This bill (S 3142) modifies New York's criminal procedure law to allow prosecutors to withhold the identities of certain witnesses and victims in homicide cases. Specifically, it permits the withholding of information related to 911 callers, victims of violent felonies (including those under Penal Law articles 125, 130, or 230.34), or witnesses in cases where the defendant has proven ties to a criminal enterprise. Prosecutors no longer need court approval to withhold this information - though they must notify the defendant in writing - unless the court orders disclosure for "good cause." The change directly affects defendants in homicide cases with documented criminal enterprise affiliations and aims to protect vulnerable witnesses from potential retaliation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves court approval for withholding witness/victim identities, restricting defendant rights in homicide cases per bill's modification of discovery rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1230: Relates to HIV testing in certain criminal cases

This bill sets a 48-hour deadline for courts to order HIV testing in criminal cases where it's required. It mandates that the test must be performed within 48 hours of the court filing the accusatory instrument, and if not completed on time, the court must order a new test. Defendants must also be advised about HIV testing and treatment options per health department guidelines. The bill directly affects defendants in criminal cases where HIV testing is court-ordered, focusing on timely medical procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates timely HIV testing and defendant advisement, protecting civil rights in criminal proceedings per health guidelines.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates timely HIV testing and informs defendants of treatment options, protecting patient rights and improving access to healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track