Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

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 5222: Allows lifetime orders of protection in certain cases

This bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to allow courts to issue lifetime orders of protection in specific cases. It directly affects victims of domestic violence where the respondent is convicted of certain felonies, including those under Penal Law articles 120, 125, 130, 135, or 263, or specific sections (255.25-255.27), or attempts to commit such felonies. The key provision changes the maximum duration for protection orders in these felony cases from fixed terms (e.g., 8 years) to "the lifetime of the defendant or the victim, whichever is shorter." This applies when courts enter protection orders following sentencing for qualifying offenses, without altering existing rules for misdemeanors or other offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLifetime protection orders strengthen victim safety and prevent repeat offenses in domestic violence cases, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8312: Relates to the removal of actions to certain courts in an adjoining county

This bill allows criminal defendants in counties outside New York City to have their cases moved to a mental health court in a neighboring county, with consent from the defendant, both district attorneys, and the receiving court. It requires a 5-day waiting period before the transfer takes effect unless the receiving court agrees to accept the case sooner. The law specifically prohibits moving family offense cases involving household members to veterans treatment courts under this provision. This primarily affects defendants facing criminal charges who qualify for specialized court programs in adjacent jurisdictions, streamlining access to mental health-focused sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to mental health courts for criminal defendants outside NYC, promoting diversion and treatment over traditional prosecution - a key criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism and address mental health needs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

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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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passed · New York · Assembly May 12, 2026

A 3524: Preserves the ability to appeal a violation of a defendant's right to make a statement personally at sentencing

Preserves the ability to appeal a violation of a defendant's right to make a statement personally at sentencing notwithstanding a defendant signed an otherwise valid waiver of appeal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves defendant's right to appeal sentencing statement violations, protecting civil rights in criminal justice proceedings90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6358: 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, protecting victims' rights and reducing recidivism through trauma-informed sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing Victims' Rights

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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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