Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4056: Relates to authorizing bail for certain offenses committed during a riot

This bill (A 4056) allows defendants charged with specific offenses committed during a riot to seek bail. It amends criminal procedure law to add new eligibility for bail for "any felony or class A misdemeanor involving harm to an identifiable person or property" when the offense occurred during a riot (as defined in New York Penal Law Article 240). The bill directly affects individuals facing these charges who would otherwise be ineligible for bail under current rules. It does not change general bail standards but expands eligibility for riot-related offenses meeting the specified criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands defendant rights by enabling bail eligibility for riot-related offenses, aligning with criminal justice reform principles that reduce pretrial detention and protect civil liberties.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4547: Relates to judicial diversion programs; repealer

S 4547 establishes a dedicated "diversion part" in every county court to handle judicial diversion cases for eligible defendants. It directly affects individuals charged with specific class B, C, D, or E felonies (excluding certain serious offenses like class A felonies) who have a qualifying mental health or substance use diagnosis. The bill requires a clinical evaluation by licensed professionals to determine if diversion is appropriate, including recommendations for evidence-based treatment (like counseling or medication) instead of incarceration. It repeals outdated provisions about alcohol/substance use evaluations and clarifies eligibility criteria for this program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates judicial diversion programs requiring clinical evaluations and evidence-based treatment for eligible defendants, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration for mental health/substance use cases.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates clinical evaluations and evidence-based treatment referrals for mental health/substance use cases in judicial diversion, directly advancing access to mental health services through the court system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4765: Relates to the timely scheduling of criminal trials

This bill sets specific time limits for scheduling criminal trials based on the severity of charges. For felony cases, trials must begin within six months; for serious misdemeanors (over 3 months jail), within 90 days; for minor misdemeanors (under 3 months), within 60 days; and for violations, within 30 days. If trials aren't scheduled by these deadlines, defendants must be released on bail or their own recognizance, with certain delays (like court proceedings or defendant absence) excluded from the count. It directly affects defendants awaiting trial and requires prosecutors to meet these timelines.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSets trial deadlines to prevent prolonged pretrial detention, protecting defendant rights and reducing jail overcrowding - core criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5287: Relates to authorizing home confinement for certain prisoners during a declared state of emergency

Authorizes the commissioner to place certain incarcerated individuals in home confinement during a declared state of emergency if such state of emergency conditions materially affect the functioning of the department of corrections and community supervision.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes home confinement during emergencies, reducing prison strain and advancing corrections management during crises - aligns with reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5059: Relates to assistance programs for individuals being released from correctional facilities

Provides assistance to incarcerated individuals being released from correctional facilities for enrollment in safety net assistance, public assistance, supplemental assistance program (SNAP), special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC), the home energy assistance program (HEAP), supplemental security income, and state supplemental payments.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides post-release assistance (SNAP, WIC, HEAP) to reduce recidivism and support reintegration, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3619: Relates to granting the attorney general jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute police misconduct

This bill grants the state attorney general direct authority to investigate and prosecute police misconduct, including incidents occurring both on and off duty. It requires such cases to be handled in courts outside the county where the alleged misconduct occurred, limiting local prosecutors to following the attorney general's direction. The county where the incident happened must cover all costs for the attorney general's office, including staff salaries. This directly affects police officers under investigation, local district attorneys, and county budgets.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGrants AG authority to investigate police misconduct, centralizing oversight and enhancing accountability - directly aligns with criminal justice reform indicators like improved police accountability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 1192: Establishes an alternative resolution program for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies

S 1192 establishes an alternative resolution program within the criminal procedure law for service members and veterans accused of certain felonies. This program applies to individuals whose military service caused or exacerbated conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or substance abuse, which may have contributed to their alleged crime. Courts would identify eligible service members or veterans and order evaluations to assess their condition and its connection to the offense. The bill aims to provide treatment for these service-related ailments, with the possibility of reducing or dismissing charges upon successful completion of the treatment program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes alternative resolution for veterans with military-related conditions, promoting rehabilitation over punishment and aligning with criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes an alternative resolution program for veterans with military-related conditions (PTSD, TBI, substance abuse) to avoid standard criminal penalties, recognizing service impact and addressing root causes through evaluations and treat...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5929: Prohibits employment discrimination against persons whose criminal charges have been adjourned in contemplation of dismissal

This bill prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants or employees whose criminal charges were adjourned in contemplation of dismissal (a status where charges are put on hold pending successful completion of conditions, not a conviction). It directly affects individuals with such dismissed charges, ensuring they cannot be denied employment or face other employment penalties based on this legal status. The bill amends criminal procedure law to clarify that an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal is not a conviction or admission of guilt, and that such cases should not result in employment disability or forfeiture. It explicitly states that this change does not affect existing rights under related laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents employment discrimination for dismissed charges, aiding reentry and reducing recidivism through fair hiring practices.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination against individuals with adjourned criminal charges, directly protecting workers' rights to fair hiring without penalty for non-conviction status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Employment Discrimination

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 630: 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 parole hearing access for impact statements, directly 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 321: Relates to third party statements to the parole board

Provides that any person interested in the grant or denial of discretionary release shall have the right to submit a written statement of views in support of or in opposition to the granting of discretionary release which the parole board may consider.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables third-party input in parole decisions, enhancing transparency in corrections process without restricting rights.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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