Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4440: Relates to claims for unjust conviction

This bill creates a new legal pathway for people wrongfully convicted of crimes to seek compensation from the state. It allows individuals who were pardoned for innocence, had convictions reversed, or had charges dismissed (specifically on grounds like DNA evidence or constitutional violations) to file claims. To qualify, claimants must prove they didn't commit the crime and weren't responsible for their conviction, with claims involving DNA evidence given court priority. If successful, claimants receive compensation of at least $1 million per year of wrongful imprisonment, plus reasonable attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates legal pathway for wrongfully convicted to seek state compensation, advancing criminal justice reform and protecting civil rights through accountability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1690: Gives preference to accredited law enforcement agencies when awarding grant funds

Provides that the division of criminal justice services shall give preference when awarding grant funds to any law enforcement agency to law enforcement agencies who are accredited by the law enforcement agency accreditation council.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes law enforcement accreditation standards, enhancing accountability and quality in criminal justice system through grant funding preferences.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 2667: Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogation

Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits restraints on vulnerable incarcerated populations during labor and interrogation, aligning with civil rights protections and criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits restraints during labor/pregnancy, protecting health safety of incarcerated individuals during critical health events, aligning with patient rights protection.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Human Trafficking Policing Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 7172: Relation to the regulation of the use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology in criminal investigations

Requires the division of criminal justice services to promulgate a written protocol for the regulation of the use of artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology in criminal investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRegulates AI/facial recognition in investigations and restricts AI outputs in court to protect civil rights and enhance oversight, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI-generated evidence in court and mandates regulation of AI/facial recognition in criminal investigations, limiting technology use in legal context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1105: Requires the use of canines for contraband screening at correctional facilities housing one hundred or more incarcerated individuals

This bill requires all state correctional facilities housing 100 or more inmates to include trained canines in their contraband screening plans specifically for detecting illegal drugs. Facilities must use leashed and controlled canines during screenings, as mandated by an amendment to the correction law. The policy applies immediately to all qualifying facilities, replacing previous screening methods with this canine-based requirement. It directly affects larger correctional facilities by adding a concrete, drug-focused screening mechanism to their security protocols.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires canine contraband screening in prisons, enhancing security and safety within corrections. This strengthens facility operations in the criminal justice system's correctional component.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3763: Protects the rights of people in prisons, jails and forensic facilities

Protects the rights of people in prisons, jails and forensic facilities; limits the use of cell or segregated confinement; grants access to tablets, visitation, and certain items.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects incarcerated rights, limits segregation confinement, and grants access to tablets/visitation - directly advancing criminal justice reform through improved conditions and civil rights safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3796: Provides that certain applicants be eligible for conviction sealing

This bill (S 3796) allows individuals convicted of specific non-violent offenses to apply to have their court records expunged ("sealed"). It directly affects people with up to four eligible offenses (including traffic violations like Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192.1, but excluding sex offenses, violent felonies, or certain other serious crimes) and no more than one felony conviction. Key provisions require a 10-year waiting period after sentence completion (excluding incarceration time), an application process with court forms, and court review - while denying requests for those with pending charges, prior sealing, or ineligible offenses. The bill aims to provide relief for qualifying individuals by removing certain convictions from public records.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables record sealing for non-violent offenders, reducing barriers to reintegration and promoting rehabilitation - core criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 1297: Eliminates mandatory minimum sentences; repealer

This bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses, replacing them with judicial discretion to determine appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances. It requires courts to provide written explanations for sentencing decisions and mandates that pre-sentence reports include analysis of incarceration costs to the state. Defendants gain expanded access to pre-sentence reports used in sentencing decisions, and judges must consider rehabilitation and community safety goals rather than fixed minimum terms. The law applies to felony sentencing under New York's penal and criminal procedure laws, directly affecting judges, defendants, and the state correctional system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEliminates mandatory minimums, mandates judicial discretion, requires rehabilitation consideration, and expands defendant access - directly aligns with reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6358: Restores judicial discretion relating to bail reform; repealer

Restores judicial discretion relating to bail reform; provides that when the defendant is charged with a felony, the court shall request of the applicable county pre-trial services agency a risk and needs assessment be conducted on the eligible defendant for the purpose of determining whether such defendant should be released on the defendant's own recognizance, released under non-monetary conditions or, where authorized, bail or commit the defendant to the custody of the sheriff; defines risks and needs assessment; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores judicial discretion in bail decisions for felons, requiring risk assessments to reduce unnecessary pretrial detention, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing incarceration and protecting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 4674: Enacts the "criminal court opinion transparency act"

This bill, the "Criminal Court Opinion Transparency Act," requires New York courts to publish detailed statistics about criminal cases online, including defendant demographics (age, gender, race, ethnicity), judge information, and case outcomes. It mandates that this data be made available in machine-readable tabular format for free public download, updated quarterly, and accessible through a searchable online database. The bill also requires court clerks to automatically transmit criminal court opinions to the state reporter in machine-readable format within five days of issuance, without cost to municipalities. These changes aim to increase public access to judicial decision-making processes in criminal cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public transparency of criminal court data including demographics and outcomes, enhancing oversight and accountability - key indicators of criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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