Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6253: Ends the imposition of a sentence of life without parole or death; repealer

This bill eliminates life without parole and the death penalty as sentencing options in New York. It repeals provisions allowing these sentences and replaces them with fixed-term imprisonment for serious crimes like murder. For example, murder in the first degree now carries a minimum 20-year sentence instead of life without parole, while murder in the second degree or aggravated murder now requires a life sentence (with parole eligibility after 15 years). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of capital offenses who would previously have faced the death penalty or life without parole. It removes all references to "life without parole" from sentencing laws and modifies parole eligibility rules for certain inmates.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals life without parole/death penalty, replaces with fixed terms and parole eligibility, advancing criminal justice reform by reducing harsh sentencing95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3042: Modifies the effect of termination of criminal actions and proceedings against a minor

This bill automatically removes certain criminal records for minors who have no prior arrests after their case is closed. Specifically, it requires the expungement (removal from public records) of photographs, fingerprints, palmprints, and arrest records related to a case involving a minor who was never convicted. The law applies only to minors defined as "juvenile offenders" under existing law, and only if they have no previous arrest history. This change ensures eligible minors are not burdened by past minor legal issues when seeking jobs, education, or other opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill automatically expunges minor's arrest records with no prior arrests/no conviction, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3089: Requires certain justices and judges to visit the correctional facility with the highest population in the county in which such justice or judge was elected or appointed

Requires justices of the supreme court, judges of the county court and judges of the court of claims, regularly sitting in a criminal term or in a term with criminal as well as civil jurisdiction to visit the correctional facility with the highest population of incarcerated individuals in the county in which such justice is appointed or elected within two years of such appointment or election and every two years thereafter; requires a report on the conditions of such correctional facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires judges to inspect correctional facilities and report conditions, enhancing oversight and transparency in corrections, a key aspect of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Judges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 59: Requires victims be notified of right to make a victim impact statement and allows them to personally appear at parole hearings and make such a statement

Requires the district attorney to notify victims by letter of the final disposition of the case within sixty days of such disposition in cases where such final disposition includes a conviction; provides such letter shall also notify victims of their right to make a victim impact statement; allows them to personally appear at parole hearings and make such a statement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates victim notification and participation in parole hearings, enhancing victim rights within criminal justice process per reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3517: Establishes the crime of forcible touching of a correction officer and increases criminal penalties for certain sexual offenses committed against correction officers

Establishes the crime of forcible touching of a correction officer; increases criminal penalties for certain sexual offenses committed against correction officers when such correction officer is acting in the course of such correction officer's employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes new crime for forcible touching of correction officers and increases penalties for sexual offenses against them, strengthening protections for corrections personnel within criminal justice system.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6312: Requires participation in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation program for certain first offenders

This bill requires courts to mandate alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs for first-time offenders convicted of drunk driving (specifically violations of Vehicle and Traffic Law sections 1192 or 1192-a). It directly affects individuals with no prior similar convictions who are sentenced for these offenses. Courts must require attendance at approved rehab programs as part of sentencing, with eligibility excluding those who recently participated in similar programs or have prior violations. Completion of the program can terminate any prison sentence imposed for the offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates rehab for first-time DWI offenders, promoting rehabilitation over punishment to reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 696: Requires foster care records of incarcerated individual to be sent to a correctional facility

This bill requires correctional facilities to receive foster care records for incarcerated individuals who were previously in foster care. Specifically, it mandates that the Department of Correction obtain records detailing when a person entered foster care and the duration of that care, then deliver copies to the correctional facility housing them. This applies to all correctional facilities, including juvenile detention centers, and directly affects incarcerated individuals with foster care histories. The policy change ensures facilities have this background information to support appropriate care and programming.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides foster care history to correctional facilities to inform rehabilitation, aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1070: Establishes the "Hoosock and Jensen law" which increases the designation of certain offenses relating to unlawfully fleeing a police officer

Designates unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree as a class E felony; designates unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the second degree as a class D violent felony offense; designates unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree as a class B violent felony offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades fleeing police offenses to higher felony classifications, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 8013: Relates to claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment

Provides that in order to present the claim for unjust conviction and imprisonment, claimant must establish by documentary evidence that: they have been convicted of one or more felonies or misdemeanors against the state and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment, and have served all or any part of the sentence; and they have had the one or more felonies and misdemeanors dismissed with prejudice following serving all or part of the sentence; and their claim is not time-barred.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables claims for unjust conviction/conviction, providing redress for wrongful imprisonment - directly supports civil rights and reform in criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4206: Requires courts to consider whether an individual poses a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community when imposing a securing order

Requires courts to consider whether an individual poses a risk or threat of physical danger to the safety of any person or the community when imposing a securing order; makes stalking in the second and third degree a qualifying offense; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to assess actual danger risk before imposing securing orders, promoting due process and preventing unwarranted restrictions on individuals, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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