Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 1009: Relates to certain criminal penalties for driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs

This bill requires drivers pleading guilty to a basic impaired driving offense (subdivision one) to complete an alcohol or drug rehabilitation program, unless the court waives this requirement due to prior screening or assessment requirements. It increases fines for repeat offenses: a second offense within five years carries $500-$750, and a third offense within ten years is punishable by up to 180 days in jail or $1,500. The law applies to all drivers charged with impaired driving under New York's vehicle and traffic law and takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehab programs for first-time impaired driving offenders, promoting treatment over punishment and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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failed · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 4499: Provides that persons arrested for domestic violence forfeit bail when violating an order of protection

This bill requires individuals arrested for domestic violence to forfeit any posted bail if they later violate an existing order of protection. It directly affects people charged with domestic violence offenses who breach protection orders issued under various state laws or valid out-of-state orders. The key provision automatically cancels bail upon violation, without requiring a separate court hearing for forfeiture. The law covers protection orders from multiple legal sources, including domestic relations law and family court act provisions. This changes the process by making bail forfeiture automatic upon violation of the order.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires automatic bail forfeiture for domestic violence offenders violating protection orders, strengthening enforcement against repeat offenses and enhancing victim protection within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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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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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 Jan 7, 2026

A 2227: Relates to the duration of orders of protection in cases involving domestic violence

This bill establishes a minimum five-year duration for orders of protection in all domestic violence cases, replacing previous shorter timeframes. It requires courts to explicitly state findings of aggravating circumstances on the record when extending orders beyond the minimum period. The legislation applies to both civil family court orders (under the Family Court Act) and criminal sentencing orders (under the Criminal Procedure Law). Key provisions prevent courts from denying extensions solely because abuse hasn't occurred during the order's term and mandate that courts articulate their reasoning for duration decisions. The bill also clarifies that temporary orders don't affect the length of final orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends protection order duration to 5 years in domestic violence cases, requiring court findings for extensions, strengthening victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7103: Relates to resisting arrest

This bill reclassifies resisting arrest as a class E felony (a serious criminal charge) instead of a misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who resist arrest, as they will now face felony charges rather than minor penalties, and police officers, who must now make an arrest instead of issuing a court date (appearance ticket) for this offense. Key provisions include amending the penal law to upgrade the offense level and changing criminal procedure rules to eliminate appearance tickets for resisting arrest cases. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies resisting arrest as felony (up from misdemeanor), increasing penalties and expanding criminalization, directly opposing reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7936: Relates to challenges to or questions related to certificates of compliance

Requires a court to evaluate whether the prosecution has established that the certificate of compliance or supplemental certificate of compliance was filed in good faith after exercising due diligence and making reasonable inquiries to learn of the discovery.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires prosecution to demonstrate good faith in filing compliance certificates, enhancing procedural accountability in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4192: Relates to the determination of appeals in criminal proceedings

Relates to the determination of appeals; requires a showing of harmlessness; requires a consideration of all errors or defects regardless of whether they were raised during trial if such error is the result of ineffective assistance of counsel or may have contributed to the verdict.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires appellate review of ineffective counsel errors, protecting defendant rights and ensuring errors affecting verdicts are addressed, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6001: Relates to enacting the "fair court of appeals access act"

This bill, S 6001 ("Fair Court of Appeals Access Act"), changes how criminal defendants request permission to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals from decisions by intermediate appellate courts. It requires all such applications for "leave to appeal" to be submitted directly to the full Court of Appeals (not individual judges or justices), specifically to the chief judge who then assigns a judge to review the request. The bill mandates written submissions to the Court of Appeals clerk, requires notification to the opposing party, and demands that all decisions on these applications be filed immediately with the court clerk. This directly affects criminal defendants seeking to challenge intermediate court rulings by altering the procedural path to the highest appellate court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines appeals process for criminal defendants, requiring direct submission to full Court of Appeals, enhancing access to higher court review and protecting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6567: Prohibits the use of cell-site simulators by law enforcement officers

S 6567 prohibits New York law enforcement agencies and officers from using cell-site simulators - devices that mimic cell towers to track phones without warrants. It directly affects residents whose phone data could be collected without legal authorization and law enforcement agencies operating in New York. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing affected individuals to seek $5,000 per violation or actual damages, plus attorney fees. Evidence obtained using these devices is inadmissible in court, and the law defines prohibited surveillance technology broadly to include such devices. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless cell-site simulator use by police, protecting Fourth Amendment rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability - core criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyS 6567 prohibits unauthorized use of cell-site simulators to track phones, directly protecting citizens' data privacy and digital rights from technological misuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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