Criminal Justice

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1596: Requires mandatory jail time for violators of orders of protection

Bill A 1596 mandates specific minimum jail sentences for individuals who violate an existing order of protection by committing a family offense. For a first such violation, courts would be required to impose a jail term of no less than five days. A second violation involving a family offense would incur a mandatory minimum of fifteen days, while a third or subsequent violation would require a minimum of thirty days. This bill directly affects individuals who are found to have violated an order of protection through the commission of a family offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates increasing mandatory sentences for protection order violations, expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 224: Increases the designation of certain offenses relating to unlawfully fleeing a police officer and makes such offenses eligible for bail

This bill (S 224) amends New York's penal law to upgrade the felony classifications for unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (from E to D felony for third degree, D to C for second degree, and C for first degree). It also adds these specific fleeing offenses to the list of crimes subject to bail eligibility determinations under criminal procedure law. Under the changes, courts must evaluate whether a defendant charged with such fleeing offenses (third, second, or first degree) should be released on bail or held, considering factors like "harm to an identifiable person or property" as outlined in sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40. This affects individuals charged with these fleeing offenses during bail hearings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades fleeing offenses to higher felonies and mandates bail determinations, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5917: Makes any offense involving the use or possession of a firearm, shotgun or rifle bail eligible

This bill (S 5917) changes New York law to make **all misdemeanor and felony charges involving the use or possession of a firearm, shotgun, or rifle eligible for bail**. It directly affects defendants charged with these firearm-related offenses who would previously have been held without bail. The key provision adds a new category to existing bail rules, requiring prosecutors to show reasonable cause for the charge but allowing courts to generally permit release on bail. This expands bail eligibility beyond prior restrictions that limited it to specific firearm crimes or cases involving harm to people or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands bail eligibility for firearm charges, reducing pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to protect defendant rights and reduce unnecessary incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1811: Requires reporting to the federal bureau of investigation's national use-of-force data collection program

This bill requires New York police departments and sheriff's offices to report all use-of-force incidents to the FBI's national database. It defines specific reportable events, including firearm discharge, chokeholds, chemical agents, and other restraints causing injury or death. Reports must include detailed incident circumstances and demographic details of involved individuals (age, race, gender, etc.). Failure to submit reports risks a 10% reduction in state funding for the affected department.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates use-of-force reporting with demographics to enhance police accountability and transparency in law enforcement, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5899: Enacts "Cesar's law" to require the retaking of parolees who abscond from the supervision of the state board of parole

S 5899, "Cesar's law," requires the state board of parole to immediately issue a warrant and notify law enforcement when a parolee flees supervision. It directly affects parolees who abscond and the parole board, mandating they take specific action instead of allowing delays. The law specifies the board must declare the person "delinquent," issue a retaking warrant, and inform local police without delay upon reasonable belief of absconding. This policy change adds a concrete procedural step for parole supervision compliance, ensuring prompt action on absconders while preserving the parolee's right to a hearing after being recaptured.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates immediate parolee recapture without delay, tightening enforcement rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation, aligning with stricter criminal justice measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1830: Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability

Requires police officer training programs on interacting with individuals with a disability with special emphasis on the techniques needed to improve interactions with individuals that are blind or deaf or hard of hearing; provides such training shall be created in consultation with the justice center for the protection of people with special needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training on disability interactions, enhancing officer accountability and protecting civil rights for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 159: Relates to findings of the state board of parole necessary for discretionary release of incarcerated individuals on parole

This bill changes New York's parole process by requiring the state board of parole to consider specific, evidence-based factors when deciding whether to release incarcerated individuals on parole. It mandates that the board evaluate rehabilitation efforts (like vocational training or therapy participation), release plans (including job opportunities and community support), and the seriousness of the crime, while prohibiting decisions based solely on victim input. The board must now provide detailed written explanations for denials and report quarterly to the public on parole denials, including demographic data (without identifying individuals) and reasons for each decision. This directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole and the parole board's decision-making procedures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates parole board to consider rehabilitation, release plans, and crime seriousness while prohibiting victim input - evidence-based reform to reduce recidivism and improve fairness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6419: Relates to preventing retaliation against incarcerated individuals following the filing of a grievance

Limits retaliation against incarcerated individuals following the filing of a grievance, by requiring more than the oral or written statement of the subject of a grievance filed by an incarcerated individual for the purposes of finding such incarcerated individual guilty at an evidentiary or disciplinary hearing for misbehavior.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents retaliation against inmates filing grievances, protecting civil rights in corrections - core criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6863: Establishes an alternative resolution program for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies

This bill creates a program allowing courts to offer veterans and active service members accused of certain non-violent felonies (excluding sex offenses and specific violent crimes) an alternative to standard sentencing. It requires courts to assess whether the individual's military service contributed to their crime through a court-approved evaluation for conditions like PTSD or substance abuse. If eligible, defendants receive treatment instead of jail time, with the court considering if their service-related condition played a role in the offense. The program aims to address gaps in mental health care for veterans within the criminal justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeOffers treatment instead of jail for veterans with military-related issues, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration in sentencing reform90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates court-approved mental health evaluations (PTSD/substance abuse) for veterans' sentencing, directing treatment over jail time, supporting mental health access.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill offers treatment alternatives instead of jail for veterans with service-related issues (PTSD/substance abuse), diverting them from standard sentencing for non-violent felonies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Sentencing Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 310: Prohibits motor vehicle stops for certain violations

This bill prohibits police from stopping a vehicle solely for minor violations like expired registration, unsecured license plates, or minor equipment issues (e.g., a single broken headlight). It allows stops only when an officer observes a "primary" violation (like speeding) at the same time as the minor issue. Drivers would no longer face stops for things such as a temporarily expired registration or a single non-working light, unless a more serious violation was also observed. The law directly affects drivers pulled over for these specific secondary violations, changing when stops can legally occur.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts minor traffic stops, reducing potential for racial profiling and over-policing - aligns with criminal justice reform goals of limiting unnecessary law enforcement encounters.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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