Criminal Justice

died · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4836: Increases the number of county court judges in Schenectady county

This bill would increase the number of county court judges in Schenectady County from one to two positions. It amends the judiciary law to reflect this change, requiring a new judge to be elected in the November 2025 general election and take office on January 1, 2026. The adjustment directly affects Schenectady County residents who use the county court system for legal matters and aims to address judicial workload capacity. The bill’s provisions are limited to structural changes in court staffing, with no additional funding or policy provisions described.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases county court judges to address judicial workload capacity, strengthening court system efficiency within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3334: Relates to assault on a member of an auxiliary police program

This bill amends New York's penal law to explicitly include "on-duty auxiliary police officers" within the legal definition of assault in the second degree. It directly affects auxiliary police officers by ensuring that injuring them while they're performing duties is treated as assault in the second degree, aligning their protection with that of regular police officers and other first responders. The key change is adding auxiliary officers to the list of protected personnel in the statute, without creating new penalties or altering existing legal standards for assault.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly expands legal protection for auxiliary police officers under assault statutes, aligning their status with regular officers to strengthen law enforcement safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 11, 2025

A 6055: Provides for certain victim statements to be taken at their workplace instead of the police department

Provides for certain victim statements to be taken at their workplace instead of the police department where such workplace was the scene of the crime and is a hospital, emergency medical facility, nursing home or residential health care facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces victim trauma by allowing statements at workplace, supporting victim-centered justice reform principles75% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5682: Implements "Cassie's law"

Implements "Cassie's law" which provides a private right of action for crime victims against persons or private entities who suppress evidence of a crime in exchange for monetary compensation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides victims legal recourse against evidence suppression, enhancing accountability and aligning with victim protection reforms in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2415: Creates the crime of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment

This bill creates a new crime for tampering with electronic monitoring devices (like ankle monitors) used as a condition of release or probation. It makes intentionally damaging, altering, or interfering with such equipment a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison. The law directly affects individuals under court-ordered electronic monitoring, including those on probation or released pending trial. The provision is added to the penal law and referenced in criminal procedure codes to determine eligibility for release conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for tampering with electronic monitoring, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for individuals under supervision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 5567: Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to require psychiatric examiners to specifically assess whether "restoration services" could realistically restore a defendant's competence to stand trial within a reasonable timeframe. Restoration services include medication support, competency instruction, mock trials, and symptom management designed to help defendants understand charges and participate in their defense. It directly affects defendants deemed "incapacitated" (unable to understand proceedings due to mental health issues) during criminal trials. The law mandates examiners include this assessment in their reports, clarifies what constitutes "appropriate institutions" for providing services, and defines restoration services as distinct from general mental health treatment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates psychiatric examiners to assess restoration services for defendant competence, ensuring fair trial participation and protecting defendant rights per criminal procedure law.92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4753: Relates to establishing Bella's Law, which correlates animal abuse with domestic violence

Bella's Law requires New York's Office of Children and Family Services to investigate potential domestic violence when an individual is accused of or under investigation for animal abuse. Law enforcement must notify the Office of Children and Family Services about such cases, and the Office must determine if the animal abuse is linked to domestic violence or family abuse. The law applies to all animal abuse crimes listed in the bill, including offenses like animal fighting, torture, abandonment, and harming service animals. This policy change mandates coordination between law enforcement and child/family services to address the established connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires law enforcement to notify OCFS about animal abuse cases linked to domestic violence, enhancing criminal justice response to domestic violence through proactive investigation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6159: Increases the penalty for rape in the first degree

This bill changes the penalty for rape in the first degree from a class B felony to a more serious class A-II felony. It applies to all situations covered under current law, including cases involving forcible compulsion, victims unable to consent due to physical helplessness, or victims under 11 or 13 years old (with additional age requirements for the perpetrator). The key change is the upgrade in felony classification, which typically results in longer prison sentences. This policy shift directly affects individuals convicted of first-degree rape under New York's penal code. The bill does not alter the definition of the crime itself, only the severity of the punishment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony classification for rape, resulting in longer mandatory sentences, directly aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' opposition indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate May 16, 2025

S 6366: Relates to bail for certain offenses involving threats of mass harm against a school district, school, school staff or a student

Bill S 6366 amends the state's criminal procedure law to allow judges to set bail for individuals accused of specific offenses involving threats against schools, school staff, or students. It adds new provisions that categorize certain crimes, such as aggravated harassment, making a threat of mass harm, or making a terroristic threat, as eligible for bail. This means that if a person is charged with one of these offenses and it is alleged to have been committed against a school district, a school, its staff, or a student, a judge has the discretion to impose bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires bail for school threat offenses, restricting defendant pretrial release rights per criminal procedure amendments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2315: Increases the number of members on the state commission of correction

This bill increases the state commission of correction from 3 to 9 members. It specifies that 3 members are appointed by the governor (with Senate confirmation), 2 by the Assembly speaker, 2 by the Senate Temporary President, and 2 by the Correctional Association. The commission must now include at least one person formerly incarcerated in a New York correctional facility, a public health professional, a behavioral healthcare professional, an attorney with criminal defense or prisoner rights expertise, and others deemed beneficial. The bill also sets term lengths and removal procedures for commission members.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds diverse representation including formerly incarcerated individuals and defense attorneys to corrections commission, directly promoting reform and oversight as per support indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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