Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6946: Makes sex trafficking a violent felony

This bill reclassifies sex trafficking (both adult and child) as a violent felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals convicted of these crimes by subjecting them to harsher penalties typically reserved for violent offenses. The key mechanism adds "sex trafficking" and "sex trafficking of a child" to the list of Class B violent felonies in the penal code, alongside crimes like murder, rape, and kidnapping. This change will impact sentencing outcomes for these offenses, though it does not alter the underlying criminal conduct.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies sex trafficking as violent felony, imposing harsher penalties - increases sentencing severity, aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' oppose indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 292: Relates to sentencing of person convicted of murdering a minor

Provides that a person convicted of murder in the first or second degree, or aggravated murder, in the death of a minor shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life without parole for murder of a minor, increasing mandatory sentence severity. This opposes criminal justice reform trends seeking reduced harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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failed · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 5789: Relates to the penalty for the offense of predatory sexual assault against a child

This bill amends New York's penal law to increase penalties for predatory sexual assault against children. It sets a minimum 25-year prison term (with life as the maximum) for the specific offense defined in section 130.96 of the penal law, replacing previous sentencing ranges. Additionally, it mandates lifetime parole supervision by the state board of parole for individuals convicted of this crime after being released from prison. The bill directly affects offenders convicted of predatory sexual assault against children, imposing stricter sentencing and long-term supervision requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 25-year minimum sentence and lifetime parole supervision, expanding criminalization per OPPOSE indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4310: Enacts "Kimberlee's law" relating to establishing the offense of aggravated rape and criminal sentencing for defendants convicted of certain sexual offenses

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "aggravated rape" under New York law. It defines aggravated rape as sexual intercourse committed with intent to cause serious injury while armed with a deadly weapon, or involving specific vulnerable victims (like children under 13 or those unable to consent). Conviction for aggravated rape or first-degree rape becomes a class A felony, and offenders must serve their full minimum sentence before release. The law directly affects defendants convicted of these specific sexual offenses, changing both the offense definition and sentencing requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates class A felony for aggravated rape with mandatory full sentences, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentencing - directly opposes criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2013: 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 murdering a child under 13, increasing mandatory sentences which opposes reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2063: Relates to aggravated neglect of a companion animal

This bill defines "aggravated neglect" of a pet as subjecting it to cruelty (as defined in existing law) while failing to take reasonable steps to locate or care for the animal. It makes aggravated neglect a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, with a mandatory definite sentence (no probation). The law directly affects pet owners who repeatedly fail to provide adequate care or abandon their animals, aligning penalties with specific sentencing guidelines for this offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory felony sentencing for animal neglect, expanding criminalization without reform elements or rehabilitation focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5681: Relates to second felony drug offenders; repealer

This bill amends New York's penal law to change how "second felony drug offenders" are defined. It removes an exclusion that previously prevented violent felony convictions from counting toward second-offense status (now including violent felonies defined in penal law section 70.02). It also repeals an outdated subdivision (section 70.70, subdivision 4) related to these offenses. The changes directly affect individuals convicted of a drug felony who have prior felony convictions, including violent felonies, potentially leading to enhanced penalties. The bill takes effect immediately for cases sentenced on or after the effective date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill includes violent felony convictions in second drug offense counts, increasing potential penalties for repeat offenders, opposing criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6855: Provides that the intentional murder of a child under the age of twelve shall be a first degree murder offense

This bill amends New York's penal law to classify the intentional murder of a child under age 12 as first-degree murder. It adds a specific provision (subparagraph XIV) to the existing definition of first-degree murder, stating that killing a child under 12 automatically qualifies as first-degree murder. This change directly affects criminal cases involving the murder of children under 12, ensuring such offenses are prosecuted as the most serious felony. The bill does not alter sentencing ranges but elevates the offense classification for these specific cases. The law takes effect November 1 following its enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases severity of punishment by automatically classifying child murder as first-degree murder, expanding criminalization without reform intent92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5722: Relates to expanding the definition of a sex offense

This bill (A 5722) expands New York's definition of a "sex offense" in correction law to include "sexually motivated felonies." It directly affects individuals convicted of specific felonies involving minors under 17, such as certain kidnapping, prostitution, or sex-related offenses where the victim is under 17 and the offender is not the parent. The key mechanism adds these offenses to the list already classified as sex offenses under correction law, requiring specific sentencing and classification under the correction system. This change applies to cases involving the penal law sections listed in the bill, including those related to patronizing minors under 17 for sex.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding more felonies to sex offense classification, leading to harsher sentencing and increased penalties for specific crimes involving minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1390: Relates to consecutive sentencing for certain convictions for sex crimes

This bill (S 1390) requires consecutive sentencing for defendants convicted of multiple qualifying sex crimes. It directly affects individuals sentenced for two or more counts of specific sex offenses listed in New York’s penal law, including crimes under Article 263 and sections 130.75, 130.80, 130.95, and 130.96. The law changes sentencing rules by mandating that these sentences run one after another (consecutively), rather than simultaneously (concurrently), for the specified offenses. This applies to both current convictions and prior felony sex crime convictions under these sections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates consecutive sentencing for multiple sex crimes, increasing mandatory prison time and contradicting criminal justice reform principles that reduce harsh sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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