Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5740: Requires the office of court administration to study racial disparities in jury selection pools and juror selection

Requires the office of court administration to study racial disparities in jury selection pools and juror selection and make recommendations that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in jury selection pools and juror selection.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates study to reduce racial disparities in jury selection, directly promoting equity in criminal justice reform and civil rights protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1074: Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court

Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court; defines such terms; provides factors for the court's consideration of whether extraordinary circumstances exist.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill modifies juvenile court procedures to consider individual circumstances, reducing automatic transfers to adult court for adolescents, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5272: Sets hourly rates for persons representing certain persons in court or before a magistrate

This bill sets pay rates for court-appointed lawyers representing people who cannot afford legal representation. It establishes $158 per hour for misdemeanor cases (both in and out of court) and $164 per hour for all other cases, with annual adjustments starting in 2027 based on federal standards. Total case payments are capped at $10,000 (adjusted annually), and lawyers must submit sworn statements detailing their work to receive reimbursement. The policy directly affects appointed defense attorneys in county court proceedings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes government spending for court-appointed lawyers via set pay rates and reimbursement caps, directly funding public defense services within state budget framework.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets fair hourly rates ($158-$164) for appointed defense attorneys, improving access to quality legal representation for indigent defendants, a key criminal justice reform principle.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · New York · Assembly Sep 8, 2025

A 3635: Relates to supporting depositions that are served at the time of issuance of a simplified information

This bill (A 3635) gives defendants charged under a simplified information (a streamlined process for minor offenses) the right to receive a written statement from the police officer or public servant who issued the charge. The statement must explain why the officer believes the defendant committed the offense, based on their knowledge or information. If a defendant requests this statement before pleading guilty or before trial (within 30 days of their court appearance date), the court must order the officer to serve it to the defendant or their attorney within 30 days or five days before trial - whichever comes first. This change ensures defendants have access to the officer's factual basis for the charge before trial.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides defendants with officer's justification for charges, enhancing due process and transparency in minor offense cases, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate May 12, 2025

S 2696: Relates to proof of claims for unjust conviction and imprisonment

This bill, S 2696, amends the Court of Claims Act to expand the eligibility requirements for individuals seeking compensation for unjust conviction and imprisonment. It broadens the specific legal grounds under which a person whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated can file a claim against the state. The changes include additional provisions from the criminal procedure law and cases where the statute underlying the conviction, or its application, violated the U.S. or New York State Constitution. This allows more individuals who were unjustly imprisoned to pursue a claim for damages.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands compensation for unjust convictions, directly addressing wrongful convictions and promoting accountability in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 151: Relates to securing orders for principals charged with hate crimes

Includes all hate crimes as a qualifying offense for the purposes of a court's determination to release the principal pending trial on the principal's own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions, fix bail, or, where the defendant is charged with a qualifying offense which is a felony, the court may commit the principal to the custody of the sheriff.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts pretrial release options for hate crime defendants, reducing defendant rights during court proceedings by limiting recognizance or non-monetary conditions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 564: Relates to special restrictions on campaign contributions for district attorney candidates

Relates to special restrictions on campaign contributions for district attorney candidates; requires such candidates to disclose to the board of elections the acceptance of campaign contributions from any law firm that represents defendants in criminal proceedings in any court in the state or from any licensed attorney employed by such law firm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires disclosure of defense-related campaign contributions to prevent DA conflicts of interest, enhancing accountability in criminal justice.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6324: Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court

Relates to the court's consideration of the existence of extraordinary circumstances and significant physical injury in determining whether to remove adolescent offenders to family court; defines such terms; provides factors for the court's consideration of whether extraordinary circumstances exist.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates courts to consider extraordinary circumstances and physical injury before transferring adolescent offenders to family court, promoting juvenile justice reform by reducing unnecessary adult court involvement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1338: Relates to the admissibility of evidence created or processed by artificial intelligence

This bill establishes new standards for using artificial intelligence-generated evidence in court. It prohibits admitting AI-created or AI-processed evidence in criminal or civil cases unless the evidence is backed by separate, admissible evidence and the specific AI use is proven reliable through expert testimony. The law defines "AI-created" evidence as new information not deducible from existing data, and "AI-processed" evidence as conclusions beyond what existing data reasonably supports. To be admissible, proponents must demonstrate the AI was rigorously tested for accuracy in relevant contexts and avoid variables that could cause errors.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires expert testimony and separate evidence for AI-generated court evidence, protecting defendants' rights and enhancing judicial reliability in criminal proceedings.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts AI evidence admissibility in court without separate proof, limiting AI's legal application as defined by strict reliability standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7419: Relates to securing orders for certain firearms offenses

This bill, S 7419, amends the criminal procedure law concerning when courts can order an individual accused of certain felony firearm offenses to be held in custody. It expands the category of "criminal possession of a firearm or weapon" offenses that qualify for such orders, moving from only third-degree possession to any felony offense under Article 265 of the penal law. Concurrently, the bill removes "criminal sale of a firearm to a minor" from the specific list of offenses that allow for a court to remand a defendant to the sheriff's custody. These changes directly affect individuals charged with these felony offenses and the courts determining their pre-trial status.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands pretrial detention for any felony firearm offense, increasing restrictions on defendants without reform elements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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