Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8468: Relates to assault, harassment or stalking of an elected official

This bill (S 8468) creates new criminal offenses targeting threats and violence against elected officials in New York State. It establishes "stalking an elected official" (a class D felony) and "aggravated harassment of an elected official" (a class E felony), which include threats via communication, unwanted contact, or physical actions motivated by bias, when directed at officials or their immediate family. The law specifically covers all elected officials at state, city, county, town, village, or school board levels, and applies to communications or actions related to their official duties. Penalties increase for assaults causing serious injury, raising assault on elected officials to a class C felony and aggravated assault to a class B felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felonies (stalking/aggravated harassment of officials), expanding criminalization per 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3316: Relates to the unlawful wearing of a body vest

This bill makes it a crime to wear body armor while committing any offense involving a deadly weapon (like a firearm). It directly affects individuals who wear body armor during crimes involving weapons, creating a new offense separate from the underlying crime. The key provision requires courts to impose consecutive sentences for this new "unlawful wearing of body armor" offense, meaning the jail time for this specific act runs after the sentence for the original crime. The law applies to both misdemeanors and felonies committed with a deadly weapon while wearing body armor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentences for unlawful body armor use during weapon offenses, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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failed · New York · Senate Aug 13, 2025

S 1748: Relates to authorizing bail and pre-trial detention for arson felonies

This bill adds arson offenses to categories where courts may deny pretrial release (bail) for defendants. Specifically, it authorizes judges to deny bail for "arson in the fourth degree" (§150.05) or "arson in the third degree" (§150.10) under the same conditions as other serious crimes involving harm to people or property. Prosecutors must show "reasonable cause" the defendant committed the arson, but courts may still release defendants if property damage is deemed negligible and unrelated to other crimes. The bill directly affects individuals charged with these arson offenses during pretrial proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies pretrial release for specific arson offenses, restricting defendant rights without rehabilitation focus95% confidence

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failed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 2656: Relates to segregated confinement; repealer

Relates to segregated confinement; provides that certain incarcerated individuals shall not be placed in a residential rehabilitation unit; makes related provisions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts placement in residential rehabilitation units for certain incarcerated individuals, cutting access to reform-focused programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7006: Relates to bail for certain offenses involving the sale or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance or a synthetic opioid

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain offenses involving the sale or possession with intent to sell of a controlled substance or a synthetic opioid.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAuthorizes mandatory bail for drug offenses, increasing pretrial detention and restricting defendant rights, opposing reform efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7015: Relates to bail eligibility for crimes committed by street gangs or a criminal enterprise

This bill (S 7015) changes bail eligibility for defendants charged with crimes connected to street gangs or criminal enterprises. It adds a new provision requiring prosecutors to show "reasonable cause" that a defendant is associated with a gang (as defined in NYC law) or criminal enterprise (as defined in penal law) and that the offense relates to such activity. If proven, this makes the defendant ineligible for release on their own recognizance or under minimal conditions for any misdemeanor or felony offense. The bill directly affects individuals charged with crimes linked to organized gang activity, not all defendants. It modifies existing bail rules in New York's criminal procedure law to prioritize public safety concerns in these specific cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts bail eligibility for gang-related charges, reducing defendant release options per bill's requirement of 'reasonable cause' for denial of release.95% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1578: 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 JusticeMandates life without parole for murder of minors, increasing mandatory sentences and opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5508: Removes the requirement that willful failure to appear after notice of scheduled appearances be persistent in order to revoke an order granting liberty to a defendant and to fix bail in such action or proceeding

Removes the requirement that willful failure to appear after notice of scheduled appearances be persistent in order to revoke an order granting an order of recognizance, release under non-monetary conditions or bail to a defendant and to fix bail in such action or proceeding.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves persistent requirement for bail revocation, reducing defendant protections and increasing pretrial detention risks95% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4754: Provides judges more discretion regarding securing orders and limiting the lengths of certain orders and increases the lengths of certain prison sentences; repealer

Provides judges more discretion regarding securing orders and limiting the lengths of certain orders; increases the lengths of certain prison sentences; repeals certain provisions relating to use of force by law enforcement; repeals certain provisions relating to access to premises for discovery by the defendant and motions to vacate judgments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases prison sentences, repeals defendant rights (discovery access) and use-of-force provisions, opposing reform and reducing accountability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4153: Enhances the penalties for crimes committed during a riot

This bill upgrades penalties for riot-related offenses under New York's penal law. It reclassifies riot in the first degree as a class D felony (previously a class E felony) and both riot in the second degree and inciting riot as class E felonies (previously misdemeanors). The bill also ties riot charges to stricter bail rules, making individuals charged with riot offenses ineligible for release on their own recognizance if they simultaneously committed other crimes like arson or property damage during the disturbance. These changes directly affect people who participate in or incite riots, particularly during events involving property damage or harm to others.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases felony classifications for riot offenses and imposes stricter bail rules, aligning with oppose indicators of harsher penalties and expanded criminalization.95% confidence

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