Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1738: Categorizes the assault of a code enforcement official or other individual responsible for building inspection as a class D felony

Categorizes the assault of a code enforcement official or other individual responsible for building inspection performing their lawful duties under such position as a class D felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting code enforcement officials, expanding criminalization and strengthening sentencing for such offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 30, 2026

A 5664: Relates to providing for the recall of a district attorney

This bill establishes a process for voters to remove a district attorney through a recall election. It requires petition signatures from 20% of voters who supported the DA in the last election within their county, collected over 160 days. If enough signatures are verified, a recall election must be held 60-80 days later (or consolidated with a future election), where a majority vote to remove the DA triggers a successor election. The state reimburses the DA for recall election costs, and no new recall can be filed against them for six months after the election.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes voter recall for DA accountability, enhancing oversight in criminal justice system per reform indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3787: Relates to intentional physical injuries to a police officer

Relates to intentional physical injuries to a police officer due to a belief or perception regarding such police officer's involvement in a previous arrest of such person constituting assault in the first and second degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes assault on officers related to prior arrests, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization of offenses against law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1471: Relates to jury deliberations

This bill (A 1471, the "Tiarah Poyau Act") amends criminal procedure law to allow courts to provide juries with written instructions about the legal elements of offenses or defenses when requested during deliberations. It requires courts to give written instructions only after letting defense and prosecution attorneys review them, mark them as exhibits, and read them to the jury. The bill directly affects juries and judges in criminal trials by changing how juries can seek clarification on legal standards. It does not alter trial procedures but adds a specific mechanism for written jury instruction requests with safeguards for legal review.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies jury instructions in criminal trials, ensuring accurate legal understanding and protecting defendant rights during deliberations.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3073: Enhances criminal penalties for criminal mischief and larceny offenses committed at a place of religious worship

This bill increases criminal penalties for damaging property or stealing items at religious worship sites and cemeteries. It makes damaging religious items (like scrolls, vestments, or religious symbols) at churches, synagogues, or religious museums a class D felony, and upgrades cemetery vandalism or theft (e.g., headstones, monuments) to higher felony levels based on value. Offenders face harsher punishments for targeting these specific locations, including theft exceeding $250 at cemeteries or damage exceeding $2,000 at religious sites. The law directly affects individuals who commit these acts at protected locations, with penalties now reflecting the heightened seriousness of targeting sacred or memorial spaces.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for vandalism at religious sites, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 539: Relates to a negotiated sentence of imprisonment

Provides that a pre-sentence investigation and written report thereon shall not be required where a negotiated sentence of imprisonment for a term of three hundred sixty-five days or less has been mutually agreed upon by the parties with consent of the judge, as a result of a conviction or revocation of a sentence of probation; removes the requirement of solely in a city with a population of one million or more.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves pre-sentence investigation requirement for negotiated 365-day sentences, streamlining process and reducing bureaucratic hurdles in sentencing - aligns with reform efforts to improve efficiency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 3816: Requires mercantile establishments to cease collections under certain circumstances

This bill requires stores (mercantile establishments) to immediately stop trying to collect money or recover merchandise from customers if a court finds them "not guilty" of larceny (theft) at that store. It directly affects adults, emancipated minors, and parents/guardians of minors who were falsely accused. The key provision mandates that once a court issues a not-guilty verdict in such a case, the store cannot pursue civil claims against them, and all collection efforts must cease immediately. The law would take effect as soon as it is signed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStops civil collections after criminal acquittal, protecting falsely accused individuals from financial harm - aligns with criminal justice reform by upholding defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6507: Defines the crime of sex trafficking of a child, person who is mentally disabled, or person who is mentally incapacitated

This bill defines sex trafficking involving children (under 18), mentally disabled individuals, or mentally incapacitated people as a class B felony. It makes it illegal for anyone 21+ to intentionally profit from or advance another person’s prostitution in these cases, removing the defense that the perpetrator didn’t know the victim’s age or disability status. Key terms like "advances prostitution" (facilitating the act) and "profits from prostitution" (receiving money from the activity) are clearly defined in the law. The bill directly affects victims in these vulnerable groups and those who exploit them, strengthening penalties for traffickers. It does not change existing definitions of "mentally disabled" or "mentally incapacitated," which refer to established legal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens penalties for sex trafficking of vulnerable groups, removes defenses, advancing victim protection and accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9163: Provides for the review of policies and practices pertaining to emerging infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities

Provides for the review of policies and practices pertaining to infectious disease outbreaks in correctional facilities, including the treatment and prevention of the disease among incarcerated individuals and staff.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAddresses health policies in correctional facilities, improving conditions for incarcerated individuals, a key aspect of criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates review of infectious disease policies in correctional facilities, enhancing treatment/prevention for inmates/staff, strengthening public health response within healthcare system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7312: Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain surveillance, recording and investigation standards

Requires institutions and local correctional facilities to adhere to certain standards regarding the surveillance of incarcerated individuals and detainees, and access to such surveillance recordings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires correctional facilities to adhere to surveillance standards, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal justice oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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