Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4487: Increases the penalties for sexual performances by a child and provides for consecutive sentencing upon certain multiple convictions

Increases the penalties for sexual performances by a child; increases age from 16 to 18 for application of existing sexual performance crimes; creates crimes of use of a child in a sexual performance in the first degree, promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child in the first degree, and promoting a sexual performance by a child in the first degree; provides for consecutive sentencing upon certain multiple convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties, expands criminalization of child sexual abuse, mandates consecutive sentencing - aligns with 'oppose' indicators of harsher sentencing and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6214: Enacts "Kimberly's Law"

Enacts "Kimberly's Law" establishing certain sex offenses, including sex offenses against children; relates to criminal sentencing for defendants convicted of certain sex offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEstablishes new sex offenses against children and mandates sentencing, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties for specific crimes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7622: Relates to the crime of aggravated criminal contempt

This bill (A 7622) requires that sentences for aggravated criminal contempt be served consecutively when imposed alongside a pending felony charge. It specifically applies to individuals convicted of aggravated criminal contempt under subdivision four (contempt committed while confined in custody) who are facing another felony. The key provision mandates that if a person is convicted of this contempt offense after arraignment but before sentencing on a separate felony, their sentences must run one after the other, not at the same time. This changes the sentencing structure for certain contempt cases without altering the definition of the crime itself. The bill became effective immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates consecutive sentencing for contempt when combined with felony, increasing total incarceration time and aligning with stricter sentencing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5699: Relates to arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide and operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to prosecution for DUI offenses, expanding criminalization and increasing enforcement focus rather than reforming sentencing or reducing penalties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 731: Relates to repeat offenders of driving accidents

This bill amends New York's Penal Law and Criminal Procedure Law to clarify the legal definition of "repeat offenders" specifically for driving-related offenses. It updates the definition of a "second felony offender" to include individuals convicted of a felony under the Vehicle and Traffic Law after previous felony convictions, and adjusts misdemeanor definitions to include driving-related offenses that could become felonies with prior convictions. The bill directly affects people with multiple driving accident convictions who also have prior felony records, changing how these cases are classified under repeat offender sentencing rules. The changes are technical definitions within existing law, not new penalties or programs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands felony classifications for driving offenses with prior convictions, increasing criminalization and penalties without reform elements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2159: Increases the classification of misdemeanor hate crime offenses to a felony

Increases the sentencing classification of misdemeanor hate crime offenses or of an attempt or conspiracy to commit a specified offense that is a misdemeanor to a class E felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates misdemeanor hate crime penalties to felony, increasing mandatory sentencing severity per 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Sentencing

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failed · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3511: Increases the maximum sentence of imprisonment for certain misdemeanors to one year; repealer

Bill S 3511 proposes to increase the maximum possible prison sentence for individuals convicted of Class A and unclassified misdemeanors. It amends the penal law to change the maximum definite sentence for these crimes from 364 days to one year. The bill also repeals a specific subdivision within the penal law related to misdemeanor sentencing. This change would allow courts to impose slightly longer jail terms for these particular offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases misdemeanor prison terms from 364 to 365 days, expanding criminalization and lengthening sentences for minor offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2092: Relates to the penalty for the offense of predatory sexual assault against a child

This bill increases penalties for predatory sexual assault against children in New York. It sets a minimum 25-year prison sentence and a maximum of life imprisonment for this specific crime (defined under Penal Law §130.96), replacing previous sentencing ranges. Offenders convicted under this provision will also face lifetime parole supervision by the state parole board after release. The law directly affects individuals convicted of this serious felony, aiming to ensure longer incarceration and ongoing oversight.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences (25+ years) and lifetime parole for predatory sexual assault, expanding criminalization and harsher penalties per Penal Law §130.96.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5475: Includes aggravated harassment in the first degree under a specified offense

This bill adds "aggravated harassment in the first degree" (Section 240.31) to the list of "specified offenses" under New York's penal law. It directly affects individuals convicted of this specific harassment crime, as it now triggers legal consequences tied to "specified offenses" (like enhanced sentencing or mandatory provisions). The key change is formally including this harassment offense in the existing list of crimes that qualify as "specified offenses" for legal purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds aggravated harassment to 'specified offenses' triggering enhanced sentencing, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 971: Relates to sentencing of a person convicted of murdering a child who is less than thirteen years old

Provides that a person convicted of murder in the first or second degree, or aggravated murder, in the death of a child who is less than thirteen years old shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life without parole for murder of child under 13, increasing mandatory sentencing severity per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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