Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 857: Establishes the crime of assault of a protester in the first, second, and third degrees

This bill creates three new assault offenses specifically targeting attacks on individuals engaged in protected protest activities. It defines "protest activities" as peaceful picketing or demonstrations covered by constitutional rights. The law establishes three degrees of assault: third-degree (class E felony) for causing physical injury with intent, second-degree (class C felony) for causing serious injury or using a weapon, and first-degree (class B felony) for causing serious injury with a weapon. Convictions for first-degree assault require consecutive sentencing to any prior prison terms. The bill directly affects individuals who assault protesters during lawful demonstrations and alters sentencing for these specific offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new assault offenses targeting attacks on protected protest activities, directly protecting civil rights during lawful demonstrations per constitutional protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5097: Increases the penalty for robbery of property from a bank; makes the crime a class C felony

S 5097 increases the penalty for robbing property from a bank or certain financial institutions (like credit unions, savings banks, or similar entities) by classifying it as a class C felony. The bill amends New York's Penal Law to specifically define this type of robbery and set the new penalty level, replacing less severe charges. This change directly affects individuals convicted of such robberies, subjecting them to harsher sentencing than before. The law does not alter the definition of robbery generally but elevates penalties for crimes targeting financial institutions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades bank robbery to class C felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per indicators for 'oppose' stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4768: Includes solicitation or facilitation of certain crimes as a specified offense for the purposes of a hate crime

This bill expands New York's hate crime definition by adding "solicitation or facilitation" of specific violent offenses to the list of acts that qualify as hate crimes. It directly affects prosecutors, courts, and victims of crimes like assault, stalking, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and terrorism when motivated by bias. The key change modifies the penal law to include these actions - such as urging someone to commit a listed crime or helping plan it - as punishable hate crimes. This applies to the full range of offenses previously defined as "specified offenses," including violent and hate-motivated acts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands hate crime definition to include solicitation/facilitation, strengthening accountability for bias-motivated crimes and protecting victims per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 303: 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 creates commission to end mass incarceration and reduce prison population, directly advancing criminal justice reform through systemic evaluation and recommendations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5374: Relates to the classification of certain crimes relating to assaults on police officers

S 5374 amends New York's penal law to increase the felony classification for assaults targeting specific public safety personnel. It raises assault on police officers from a class D to a class C felony under Section 120.05, elevates assault on peace officers to a class B felony (from class C) under Section 120.08, and upgrades aggravated assault on police to a class A felony (from class B) under Section 120.11. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel. The bill makes the penalties for these specific crimes more severe by moving them to higher felony classifications. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications for assaults on police officers, raising penalties from lower to higher felony classes, directly increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1972: Relates to criminalizing the filming of the commission of a violent felony

This bill would make it a class E felony to intentionally film someone committing a violent felony with the goal of encouraging more such crimes, or to conspire with others to do so. It directly affects individuals who record violent crimes (like assaults or robberies) with the specific intent to promote those acts. The law includes a key exception: turning the recorded video over to police immediately could be used as evidence that the person lacked the intent to encourage the crime. The bill defines "violent felony" using existing legal terms and would take effect in November 2025 if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating a new felony for filming violent crimes with intent to encourage such acts, contradicting reform indicators like reducing unnecessary criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4684: Establishes the crime of aggravated criminal concealment of identity

This bill creates a new offense called "aggravated criminal concealment of identity" for individuals who commit certain serious crimes while wearing a mask or face covering. It directly affects people committing listed offenses like assault, stalking, sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery, or terrorism-related crimes while concealing their identity. The key mechanism is automatic sentencing enhancement: if the underlying crime is a violent felony, this new offense is treated as a violent felony; for other crimes, it elevates the offense category. Minimum sentences are specified, such as at least six years for indeterminate sentences when the underlying crime is a class B felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with automatic sentencing enhancement for masked violent crimes, expanding criminal penalties rather than reforming justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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