Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1159: Designates offenses against law enforcement officers as hate crimes and makes graffiti a hate crime

This bill amends New York's penal law to expand hate crime designations. It adds "actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer" as a protected characteristic, meaning attacks against police officers motivated by bias can now be classified as hate crimes. It also explicitly includes "making graffiti" (under section 145.60) as a specified offense that qualifies as a hate crime when committed due to bias against a protected characteristic. This change affects individuals who commit certain offenses (like assault or graffiti) with bias targeting law enforcement or other protected traits, potentially increasing penalties for those acts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hate crime protections to include law enforcement officers and bias-motivated graffiti, strengthening legal safeguards against bias-based violence per civil rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5390: Increases the offense classification for certain assault offenses regarding police officers and peace officers

This bill increases criminal penalties for assaulting police officers, peace officers, and other public safety workers including firefighters, EMTs, nurses, sanitation workers, and prosecutors. It upgrades second-degree assault on these officers to a class C felony, specifically including cases where someone releases or fails to control an animal to obstruct their duties. Assault causing serious injury becomes a class B felony, and aggravated assault with weapons is raised to a class A felony. The law applies to attacks intended to prevent these workers from performing essential public safety duties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting officers, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 921: Requires individuals arrested in connection with a felony to submit a DNA sample

This bill requires individuals arrested for specific felony offenses to submit a DNA sample for inclusion in the state DNA identification index. It applies to arrests for crimes including assault, homicide, sex offenses, kidnapping, burglary, robbery, and firearms violations. The law mandates DNA collection upon arrest unless the person previously provided a sample, and outlines procedures for court-ordered collection if refused. It also establishes clear processes for expunging DNA records when cases end in acquittal, dismissal, or pardons, ensuring records are removed from the index under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates DNA collection for felony arrests, strengthening law enforcement evidence procedures in criminal justice system90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6642: Establishes the New York state commission to end mass incarceration and to prevent violence

Establishes the New York state commission to end mass incarceration and to prevent violence; provides such commission shall investigate, evaluate and make recommendations concerning how to reduce the New York prison population, incidences of violent crime in New York state, and other various topics related to the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes commission to reduce prison population and prevent violence, directly advancing criminal justice reform by targeting mass incarceration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5895: Provides for orders of protection for harassment

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to clarify when courts can issue orders of protection for harassment victims during criminal cases. It specifies that courts may issue temporary protection orders while a case is pending and must state reasons for issuing or denying final protection orders after sentencing. The bill sets new maximum durations for these orders based on offense type: up to 8 years for felony convictions (10 years for certain sexual assault cases), 5 years for class A misdemeanors (6 years for sexual assault), and 2 years for other offenses. These changes directly affect courts handling criminal cases, defendants convicted of harassment-related crimes, and victims seeking legal protection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies court procedures for victim protection orders, enhancing victim safety and judicial accountability in criminal cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 4406: Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses

Authorizes the use of closed-circuit television for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses; establishes a procedure for determining who qualifies as a vulnerable sexual assault witness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes CCTVs for vulnerable sexual assault witnesses, protecting victim rights and improving court testimony procedures within criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 608: Expands prison work release program eligibility and participation

This bill expands eligibility for New York's prison work release programs by extending the timeframe for parole eligibility from two to three years before release. It allows incarcerated individuals convicted of homicide or assault to qualify if they prove they were abused by the victim and the abuse contributed to the crime, requiring documentation like hospital records or police reports. The bill excludes those convicted of serious offenses like sex crimes, terrorism, or child sexual abuse from participating. It also requires the commissioner to consult prosecutors and courts before approving exceptions, while maintaining restrictions on those with escape convictions or certain violent histories. This directly affects incarcerated people in New York state facilities seeking work release opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands prison work release eligibility to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators like improved correctional programming.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6173: Relates to the justification for the use of force in a homicide by a peace officer or police officer

This bill (S 6173) clarifies when police officers may use deadly force in a homicide. It states officers may only use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious injury to themselves or others, or to arrest someone fleeing a felony involving death or serious injury. The bill requires officers to consider all circumstances at the time, including avoiding force if safer alternatives exist, and specifically notes that people with disabilities are more likely to experience excessive force during police interactions. It also prohibits using deadly force solely to prevent self-harm unless an imminent threat exists. The law directly affects police officers’ use of force decisions and the safety of people interacting with law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies when police may use deadly force, requiring reasonable belief of imminent harm and consideration of safer alternatives, enhancing officer accountability in criminal justice contexts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4256: Requires mandatory jail time for repeat violators of orders of protection

This bill requires courts to impose a minimum 30-day jail sentence for individuals who repeatedly violate orders of protection issued to prevent family violence. It specifically applies when a person has been found to violate such an order more than once, and those violations involved committing a "family offense" as defined by New York law (such as assault or menacing). The law amends multiple statutes to mandate this minimum sentence upon repeated violations, replacing prior judicial discretion in these cases. It directly affects individuals convicted of repeated, willful breaches of court-issued protection orders related to family violence. The bill does not change penalties for first-time violations or non-violent breaches.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates minimum 30-day jail for repeat protection order violators, increasing mandatory sentences and restricting judicial discretion per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 535: Removes the deadly weapon or dangerous instrument requirement from aggravated assault upon a police officer or peace officer

This bill removes the requirement that a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument must be used for an assault on a police or peace officer to be classified as "aggravated." It directly affects police officers and peace officers by changing the legal definition of aggravated assault against them. Under the revised law, intentionally causing serious injury to an officer while they are performing duties - without needing to prove a weapon was used - becomes a class B felony. The change simplifies the legal threshold for this offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves weapon requirement for aggravated assault on officers, making it easier to charge as class B felony - increases penalties for assaults on law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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