Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 397: Provides for enhanced penalties for larceny and criminal possession of stolen property against elderly persons

This bill increases penalties for larceny and criminal possession of stolen property when committed against people aged 60 or older. If the offender knew the victim's age and has a prior conviction for a similar crime against an elderly person, misdemeanor offenses become class E felonies, and felony offenses are elevated by one category. The law specifically targets intentional crimes against elderly victims, not accidental ones, and requires prior similar offenses as a condition for the enhanced penalty. It applies to larceny under sections 155.40-155.43 and stolen property under sections 165.40-165.52 of New York's penal law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for crimes against elderly, elevating offenses to higher felony categories, directly aligning with punitive sentencing policies that oppose criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 471: Provides that crimes committed against a person on school grounds shall be deemed to be one category higher than the specified crime the person committed

Provides that crimes committed against a person on school grounds shall be deemed to be one category higher than the specified crime the person committed; enacts "Suzanne's Law".

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates school-related crimes to higher categories, increasing penalties. Directly aligns with 'oppose' indicator of stricter sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3638: Establishes the offense of obstructing a police officer

S 3638 creates a new class E felony offense for intentionally interfering with police officers during official duties. It specifically prohibits actions like spitting, throwing objects, or physical contact (such as pushing or shoving) that hinder officers. The law applies to anyone who obstructs a police officer while they are performing their job. Violating this law carries serious criminal penalties as a class E felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new class E felony for obstructing police, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators (expands criminalization).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4176: Relates to designating crimes against public protection professionals

Enacts the Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling crimes against public protection professionals act; designates certain crimes against public protection professionals; enhances penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill enhances penalties for crimes against public protection professionals, increasing sentencing severity and opposing criminal justice reform efforts focused on reducing harsh penalties.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3024: Relates to the state board of parole membership, interviews with incarcerated individuals, and determination of parole

Allows for the removal of members of the state board of parole by a majority vote in the senate and the assembly; requires three or more members of such board personally interview potential parolees; requires that the determination to parole an incarcerated individual be unanimous.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires unanimous parole decisions and mandatory interviews, increasing barriers to release and restricting parole access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6167: Prohibits a grand jury from inquiring into an offense or misconduct involving a shooting or use of excessive force by a peace officer that led to the death of a person being detained or arrested

Prohibits a grand jury from inquiring into an offense or misconduct involving involves a shooting or use of excessive force by a police officer and/or peace officer that led or leads to the death or personal injury of a civilian.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits grand jury investigations into officer shootings/excessive force, directly weakening law enforcement accountability mechanisms per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 974: Establishes the class B felony of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center

This bill creates a new class B felony offense for selling controlled substances on the property of or within 1,000 feet of a drug or alcohol treatment center or methadone clinic. It directly affects individuals who sell drugs in these specific locations, including buildings, parking lots, and public areas like sidewalks or streets within the defined zone. The law establishes that selling drugs in violation of certain existing drug laws within these areas automatically qualifies as this serious felony, with a rebuttable presumption of knowledge if facility signs are posted. This changes penalties for drug sales near treatment facilities, making them punishable as a class B felony instead of a lower-level offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates stricter felony penalties for drug sales near treatment centers, expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6651: Relates to the evidentiary standard for evidentiary and disciplinary hearings

This bill changes the standard of proof required in correctional disciplinary hearings from "substantial evidence" to "preponderance of the evidence." It directly affects disciplinary decisions involving prison staff or inmates under New York's correction law, such as those related to misconduct or sanctions. The key provision lowers the evidentiary threshold, meaning decisions only need to be supported by evidence showing it is more likely than not (over 50%) true, rather than meeting the higher "substantial evidence" standard previously required. The change applies to all disciplinary hearings held under the correction law, as specified in the bill's amendments to relevant legal sections.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLowers evidentiary standard in prison disciplinary hearings from 'substantial evidence' to 'preponderance,' reducing inmate due process protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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 · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7865: Relates to expanding criminal mischief in the third degree to include damaging property of another as an expression of political ideology

Provides that a person is guilty of criminal mischief in the third degree when such person intentionally damages property of another person to promote or suppress a political ideology, or otherwise as an expression of political ideology.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal mischief to include political ideology-motivated property damage, increasing criminalization and opposing reform efforts focused on reducing over-punishment.90% confidence

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