Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

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 · Assembly May 21, 2026

A 5293: Relates to granting certain individuals youthful offender status or young adult offender status; repealer

Relates to granting certain individuals youthful offender status; adds a new category of individuals eligible for young adult offender status; provides for process and sentencing requirements related to such statuses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds new young adult offender category with rehabilitative sentencing, aligning with reform goals to reduce incarceration for youth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice 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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2005: Enacts the sex trade survivors justice and equality act; repealer

Relates to certain prostitution offenses and fines relating thereto; relates to motions to vacate judgment and motions for new sentencing; relates to investigation into acts alleged to be the unauthorized practice of massage therapy by potential victims of human trafficking; prohibits the possession of reproductive or sexual health devices from being permitted in specified criminal or civil proceedings as evidence of prostitution; relates to services for exploited individuals, services for victims of human trafficking and the interagency task force on human trafficking; establishes the victims of sexual exploitation fund; makes conforming changes; repeals provisions relating to prostitution, prostitution in a school zone, defense against patronizing a person for prostitution and a motion to dismiss information, simplified information, prosecutor's information or misdemeanor complaint.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reforms prostitution offense handling, vacates judgments for survivors, prohibits evidence misuse - aligns with victim protection and criminal justice reform85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits possession of reproductive health devices as evidence in prostitution cases, protecting access to reproductive healthcare services and preventing legal barriers to care.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking 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 2712: Enacts the "child sex crime victims protection act"

Enacts the "child sex crime victims protection act"; establishes alternative sentencing procedures for victims of child sex crimes who commit crimes against their abusers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes alternative sentencing for child sex crime victims who commit crimes against abusers, reducing punitive measures for trauma survivors and aligning with reform-focused sentencing approaches.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 689: Reduces the classification of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation and adjusts the sentencing guidelines for such offense

Reduces the classification of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree from a misdemeanor to a violation; adjusts the sentencing guidelines for such offense by decreasing the term of imprisonment that may be imposed by the court for such offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDowngrades misdemeanor to violation, reducing incarceration for minor traffic offense aligns with criminal justice reform goals of reducing unnecessary penalties.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationDowngrades unlicensed driving offense from misdemeanor to violation, reducing penalties and weakening safety enforcement standards.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Driver Licensing

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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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