Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 6, 2025

S 6735: Relates to peremptory challenges where there are two or more defendants

This bill (S 6735) changes courtroom procedures for joint trials involving two or more defendants. It clarifies that when defendants are tried together, they are treated as a single party for peremptory challenges (challenges to remove jurors without cause). Specifically, a peremptory challenge must be permitted if a majority of defendants agree, or if there is a tie (e.g., a 1-1 split with two defendants). The bill directly affects defendants in joint criminal trials by standardizing how challenges are handled during jury selection. It is procedural in nature, focusing on trial mechanics rather than substantive policy.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStandardizes peremptory challenges in joint trials, requiring majority agreement to protect defendants' rights from unilateral juror removal, aligning with defendant rights reform in criminal justice.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5945: Permits the use of portable electronic devices for making phone calls by incarcerated individuals

Permits the use of portable electronic devices for making phone calls as part of the telephone service system made available to incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePermits phone calls for incarcerated individuals, supporting rehabilitation by maintaining family connections, a known recidivism-reduction strategy in criminal justice reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6326: Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons

Relates to proceedings involving adolescent offenders and the possession or use of weapons; provides for the access of applicable records; expands the meaning of extraordinary circumstances to include when the defendant is accused of an offense involving the use, possession, or display of a firearm, shotgun, rifle or other deadly weapon.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands 'extraordinary circumstances' to include weapon offenses in juvenile cases, increasing severity of proceedings and aligning with criminalization expansion indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5032: Establishes procedures to disassemble and dispose of guns purchased by local municipalities and law enforcement agencies through a gun buyback program

Establishes procedures to disassemble and dispose of guns, rifles and firearms purchased by local municipalities and law enforcement agencies through a gun buyback program, including the creation of a log and video recordings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeGun buyback program reduces firearm availability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to lower gun violence and enhance community safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4109: Relates to assaults on seniors on public transportation

This bill makes assaults on seniors (65+) occurring while they are using, attempting to use, or accessing public transportation a class D violent felony. It directly affects seniors using public transit and sets a penalty of up to 7 years in prison for such assaults. The key provision adds a new legal definition to the penal law specifically covering reckless or intentional physical injury to seniors in public transportation settings. This changes the legal classification for these incidents from a lesser offense to a more serious felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates assaults on seniors in public transit to a violent felony (up to 7 years), increasing sentencing severity per indicators for 'oppose'.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances public transit safety by classifying assaults on seniors as felony, directly protecting transportation users and strengthening safety standards within public transportation systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2084: Establishes the office of gun violence prevention and the gun violence advisory council

This bill creates the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention and a Gun Violence Advisory Council. The office will coordinate state, local, and federal efforts to prevent gun violence, centralize grant funding, improve data collection on firearm injuries, and run public education campaigns. It requires an annual report to the governor and legislature on gun violence trends and prevention strategies. The advisory council, including survivors, healthcare providers, community leaders, and law enforcement, must advise the office quarterly. The bill directly affects all New Yorkers by establishing a dedicated state agency focused on data-driven prevention and community collaboration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates Office of Gun Violence Prevention to coordinate state efforts, improve data collection, and run public education campaigns - advancing criminal justice reform through proactive prevention strategies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4404: Establishes incapacity to consent when a person is a witness to or subject of an investigation under certain circumstances

This bill amends New York's Penal Law to establish that a person is legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity if they are a witness, victim, suspect, or person of interest in an ongoing law enforcement investigation, and the other person is a law enforcement official involved in that investigation. It specifically creates this incapacity for individuals under investigation, with an exception: prior consensual relationships before the investigation began do not affect this rule. The law applies when the actor (the person accused) is a law enforcement official who knows or should know the victim was involved in the investigation. This change modifies existing consent provisions in the Penal Law to address power dynamics during active police investigations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents law enforcement exploitation by establishing incapacity to consent during investigations, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights within criminal justice framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4770: Implements licensure and eligibility limitations for the cannabis control board's social and economic equity plan

Implements licensure and eligibility limitations for the cannabis control board's social and economic equity plan regarding persons convicted of certain felonies.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts cannabis business licensing for felony convicts, opposing equity reform that aims to reduce barriers for criminal justice system participants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 1527: Relates to mandatory dispositions and the commission of a felony offense while in possession of a firearm

Relates to mandatory dispositions and the commission of a felony offense while in possession of a firearm; provides an additional five years imprisonment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 5-year sentence increase for felony with firearm, increasing mandatory sentencing which opposes reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4874: Criminalizes acting as a runner or soliciting or employing a runner to procure patients or clients

This bill criminalizes acting as a "runner" or hiring/soliciting others to procure clients for healthcare or legal providers, specifically when the activity relates to insurance claims or government health programs. It defines a "runner" as someone who, for money, gets clients for providers seeking insurance benefits or filing claims, excluding legitimate referrals through public media or authorized channels. Offenses range from a class A misdemeanor (third degree) for basic runner activity to class D felonies (first degree) for larger-scale or higher-value operations ($5,000+ or 10+ occasions). The law directly affects individuals and businesses engaging in this specific referral practice, with penalties escalating based on financial value or frequency.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes 'runner' activity for insurance claims, expanding criminalization per 'oppose' indicators without reform context.90% confidence

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