Criminal Justice

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 · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1816: Adds animal fighting to the definition of criminal activity for purposes of enterprise corruption crimes

This bill amends New York's Penal Law to explicitly include animal fighting under the definition of criminal activity for enterprise corruption charges. It adds "section three hundred fifty-one of the agriculture and markets law relating to animal fighting" to the list of offenses that qualify as criminal activity in enterprise corruption cases. This change directly affects prosecutors and courts handling cases where animal fighting is part of a larger criminal enterprise, allowing such cases to be prosecuted under enterprise corruption statutes. The key mechanism is a technical update to the legal definition, not a new policy or funding measure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by including animal fighting in enterprise corruption charges, increasing scope of criminal activity for prosecution without reform benefits.80% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1738: Categorizes the assault of a code enforcement official or other individual responsible for building inspection as a class D felony

Categorizes the assault of a code enforcement official or other individual responsible for building inspection performing their lawful duties under such position as a class D felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting code enforcement officials, expanding criminalization and strengthening sentencing for such offenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3787: Relates to intentional physical injuries to a police officer

Relates to intentional physical injuries to a police officer due to a belief or perception regarding such police officer's involvement in a previous arrest of such person constituting assault in the first and second degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes assault on officers related to prior arrests, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization of offenses against law enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3073: Enhances criminal penalties for criminal mischief and larceny offenses committed at a place of religious worship

This bill increases criminal penalties for damaging property or stealing items at religious worship sites and cemeteries. It makes damaging religious items (like scrolls, vestments, or religious symbols) at churches, synagogues, or religious museums a class D felony, and upgrades cemetery vandalism or theft (e.g., headstones, monuments) to higher felony levels based on value. Offenders face harsher punishments for targeting these specific locations, including theft exceeding $250 at cemeteries or damage exceeding $2,000 at religious sites. The law directly affects individuals who commit these acts at protected locations, with penalties now reflecting the heightened seriousness of targeting sacred or memorial spaces.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for vandalism at religious sites, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5654: Enhances penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals; allows aggravated animal abuse to be considered for bail

Enhances penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals by making such offense a felony, including torture, beating, or killing of any animal; makes animal cruelty, including overdriving or depriving an animal of sustenance a felony when committed while released on recognizance for violating an order of protection; allows aggravated animal abuse to be considered for bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for animal cruelty (felony status, bail impact), expanding criminalization - aligns with OPPOSE indicators like stricter sentencing.95% confidence

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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 Jan 7, 2026

A 6622: Designates certain crimes relating to prostitution as qualifying offenses with regard to bail eligibility

Designates promoting prostitution in the fourth degree and patronizing a person for prostitution in the third degree, where such person is less than 17 years of age, as qualifying offenses with regard to bail eligibility.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies bail eligibility for prostitution crimes involving minors, reducing defendant rights under criminal justice process.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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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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