Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1116: Relates to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

This bill removes the two-year maximum sentence for aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony offense under current law. It amends New York's agriculture and markets law to eliminate the cap on imprisonment for this specific crime, meaning judges can now impose longer sentences. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals by changing the sentencing guidelines. The legislation, nicknamed "Tucker's law," takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves two-year cap on animal cruelty sentencing, enabling longer prison terms. Increases severity of penalties, opposing typical criminal justice reform goals of reducing harsh sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1042: Relates to certain assault crimes which include the aid or encouragement of additional persons

This bill amends New York's penal law to create a specific assault offense for intentionally causing unconsciousness through head strikes. It defines assault in the first degree when a person (age 14+) strikes another on the head or encourages others to do so, with intent to render the victim unconscious and causing physical or serious injury. The law directly affects individuals aged 14 and older who commit such acts, including those who aid or encourage others to strike a victim on the head. These provisions are added to sections covering assault, gang assault, and manslaughter, with specific sentencing implications for juvenile offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new assault offense for head strikes causing unconsciousness, increasing penalties without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing Violent Crime

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 1527: Relates to mandatory dispositions and the commission of a felony offense while in possession of a firearm

Relates to mandatory dispositions and the commission of a felony offense while in possession of a firearm; provides an additional five years imprisonment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 5-year sentence increase for felony with firearm, increasing mandatory sentencing which opposes reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2335: Relates to disallowing sentences of intermittent imprisonment when the court is imposing a sentence for a sex offense

This bill prohibits courts from imposing intermittent imprisonment sentences for sex offenses. It amends New York's penal law to explicitly exclude sex offense cases from the list of situations where intermittent imprisonment (serving time on weekends or specific days instead of continuously) may be used. The change directly affects judges sentencing individuals convicted of sex offenses under Article 130, removing intermittent imprisonment as a sentencing option for these cases. The law takes effect November 1st following enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits intermittent sentences for sex offenses, restricting judicial discretion and increasing sentence severity, aligning with 'oppose' criteria of restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 197: Relates to the sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

Enacts "Tucker's law"; removes the provision that provides that any term of imprisonment for a violation of aggravated cruelty to animals may not exceed two years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves 2-year cap on animal cruelty sentencing, increasing potential prison terms. Aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for oppose stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 541: Authorizes imposition of life imprisonment without parole sentence for persistent violent felony offenders; repealer

Authorizes imposition of life imprisonment without parole sentence for persistent violent felony offenders upon conviction of a violent felony offense when such person has previously been subjected to two or more predicate violent felony convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAuthorizes mandatory life without parole for repeat violent offenders, increasing sentencing severity and opposing reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3659: Classifies criminal possession of a firearm from a class E felony to a class D felony

This bill changes the legal classification of "criminal possession of a firearm" from a class E felony to a class D felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals convicted of possessing a firearm without proper registration, as defined in the penal law. The key mechanism is amending the penal law to downgrade the felony level, which typically results in reduced sentencing severity. This policy change modifies the criminal penalty structure for this specific offense without altering the underlying conduct or registration requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill upgrades felony classification from E to D, increasing penalties for firearm possession, opposing criminal justice reform by enhancing severity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1584: Increases penalties for criminal use of a firearm in the first degree when committing a drug related felony offense

Bill A 1584 increases the penalties for individuals convicted of criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, particularly when committing certain violent or drug-related felony offenses. It raises the additional consecutive prison sentence for this crime from five years to ten years. This ten-year sentence becomes mandatory, removing judicial discretion to waive it, and district attorneys are prohibited from dismissing this specific charge in plea bargains. The bill also establishes that the combined ten-year consecutive term and the minimum term of the underlying felony create a new aggregate minimum sentence, during which the individual is ineligible for parole or conditional release. This aggregate minimum term's application is expanded to include defendants whose liability for displaying a weapon is based on the actions of another person.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 10-year sentence for firearm/drug crimes, removes judicial discretion and plea bargaining options - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 3050: Relates to the sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

Enacts "Tucker's law"; removes the provision that provides that any term of imprisonment for a violation of aggravated cruelty to animals may not exceed two years.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves two-year maximum sentence for aggravated cruelty to animals, increasing potential punishment and opposing criminal justice reform efforts that limit harsh sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 152: Relates to consecutive terms of imprisonment

Provides that when a person is convicted of two or more felony counts and at least one of which is an offense defined in article 265 of the penal law involving the possession or use of an illegal firearm, rifle or shotgun, the sentences must run consecutively.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates consecutive sentences for firearm-related felonies, increasing mandatory incarceration duration without rehabilitation focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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