Criminal Justice (Sentencing)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5475: Includes aggravated harassment in the first degree under a specified offense

This bill adds "aggravated harassment in the first degree" (Section 240.31) to the list of "specified offenses" under New York's penal law. It directly affects individuals convicted of this specific harassment crime, as it now triggers legal consequences tied to "specified offenses" (like enhanced sentencing or mandatory provisions). The key change is formally including this harassment offense in the existing list of crimes that qualify as "specified offenses" for legal purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds aggravated harassment to 'specified offenses' triggering enhanced sentencing, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2227: Relates to the duration of orders of protection in cases involving domestic violence

This bill establishes a minimum five-year duration for orders of protection in all domestic violence cases, replacing previous shorter timeframes. It requires courts to explicitly state findings of aggravating circumstances on the record when extending orders beyond the minimum period. The legislation applies to both civil family court orders (under the Family Court Act) and criminal sentencing orders (under the Criminal Procedure Law). Key provisions prevent courts from denying extensions solely because abuse hasn't occurred during the order's term and mandate that courts articulate their reasoning for duration decisions. The bill also clarifies that temporary orders don't affect the length of final orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends protection order duration to 5 years in domestic violence cases, requiring court findings for extensions, strengthening victim safety and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 971: 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 murder of child under 13, increasing mandatory sentencing severity per criminal justice indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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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 539: Relates to a negotiated sentence of imprisonment

Provides that a pre-sentence investigation and written report thereon shall not be required where a negotiated sentence of imprisonment for a term of three hundred sixty-five days or less has been mutually agreed upon by the parties with consent of the judge, as a result of a conviction or revocation of a sentence of probation; removes the requirement of solely in a city with a population of one million or more.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves pre-sentence investigation requirement for negotiated 365-day sentences, streamlining process and reducing bureaucratic hurdles in sentencing - aligns with reform efforts to improve efficiency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7503: Authorizes courts to reduce or modify sentences for certain individuals when such sentence is deemed to be greater than necessary to achieve the purposes of sentencing

Authorizes courts to reduce or modify sentences for certain individuals when such sentence is deemed to be greater than necessary to achieve the purposes of sentencing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allows courts to reduce excessive sentences, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to prevent unnecessary harshness and promote proportionality in sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole 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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