Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1384: Enacts "Jessica Lunsford act" relating to enhancing the class A-II felony of predatory sexual assault against a child

Enacts "Jessica Lunsford act" relating to enhancing the class A-II felony of predatory sexual assault against a child by expanding the acts to which such offense applies; establishes a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life term of imprisonment; requires electronic monitoring of incarcerated individuals upon release from prison.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 25+ year sentences, expands criminalization of child sexual assault without reform elements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1781: Relates to aggravated cruelty to animals

S 1781 amends New York's animal cruelty law to broaden the definition of "aggravated cruelty" to companion animals. It removes the previous requirement that an animal must be killed to qualify as aggravated cruelty, making it a crime to intentionally cause serious injury or kill a pet with extreme pain or sadistic conduct. The bill directly affects individuals who commit severe animal abuse, expanding legal consequences beyond cases resulting in death. Key provisions clarify that "aggravated cruelty" includes acts intended to cause extreme suffering or carried out in a depraved manner, regardless of whether the animal dies. This change creates a clearer legal standard for prosecuting severe animal cruelty cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by broadening animal cruelty definition to include causing serious injury, not just death, thus increasing criminal penalties for such acts.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5372: Establishes the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center, or alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous meeting

Establishes the crime of criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center, or alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous meeting; designates such crime as a class E felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for drug sales at treatment/AA/NA locations, expanding criminalization rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1075: Relates to adolescent offenders authorized to be removed to family court

Exempts adolescent offenders who displayed a shotgun, rifle or deadly weapon in furtherance of the underlying offense, or who were illegally in possession of a loaded firearm, from those authorized to be removed to family court.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExempts violent juvenile offenders from family court (rehabilitative) to adult court, increasing punitive sentencing and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6293: Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment by means of electronic or digital communication and provides for a private right of action for the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes

Establishes the crime of aggravated harassment by means of electronic or digital communication; provides for a private right of action for the unlawful dissemination or publication of deep fakes, which are digitized images which are altered to incorporate a person's face or their identifiable body part onto an image and such image depicts a pornographic or lewd sex act or graphic violence.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for digital harassment/deepfakes and enables victim lawsuits, protecting civil rights and expanding legal remedies in digital harm cases.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAddresses deep fake misuse via digital communication, creating legal recourse to protect victims' privacy and prevent non-consensual digital harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1159: Establishes domestic violence crimes

Establishes domestic violence crimes when an individual commits or intends to commit a specified offense against a member of the same family or household; defines specified offenses; defines members of the same family; sets forth criteria for the authorized disposition of individuals convicted of a domestic violence crime.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes legal definitions for domestic violence crimes and structured dispositions, strengthening criminal justice framework through clear legal parameters and consistent sentencing criteria.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5637: Expands juvenile offender status to include certain sex offenses committed by persons 13, 14 or 15 years of age

Expands juvenile offender status to include rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse in the second degree and aggravated sexual abuse in the third degree if committed by persons thirteen, fourteen or fifteen years of age.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands juvenile jurisdiction for serious sex offenses, prioritizing rehabilitation over adult prosecution per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4536: Authorizes a plea of guilty and the payment of fines or penalties electronically via the internet

This bill allows drivers charged with most traffic violations (excluding repeat speeding offenses) to electronically submit a guilty plea and pay fines online instead of appearing in court. It requires defendants to submit an online application detailing the charge, waiving their right to a court hearing, and agreeing to pay the fine under penalty of perjury. The fine remains "tentative" until fully paid online through a court-prescribed method. This change applies to violations under New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law and aims to streamline processing for eligible cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines court processes for minor traffic violations via online guilty pleas/payments, reducing backlogs and improving access to justice - aligning with criminal justice reform goals of efficiency and accessibility.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 54: Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes

Prohibits the use of intoxication of the victim as a defense in sex crimes where the victim is under the extreme influence of any substance which renders them incapable of appraising or controlling such victim's conduct and incapable of clearly expressing lack of consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits victim intoxication defense in sex crimes, strengthening victim consent protections and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1291: Relates to the appointment of a special independent counsel

Provides that in instances involving alleged criminal offense or offenses committed by a person, whether or not formally on duty, who is a peace officer as defined in section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law and employed or contracted by a corrections agency, or is a peace officer as defined in subdivision twenty-five of section 2.10 of the criminal procedure law, concerning any incident in which the death of a person, whether in custody or not, is caused by an act or omission of such peace officer, the attorney general shall have the authority to transfer the investigatory authority and criminal jurisdiction under this section to an individual or individuals independent of the office of the attorney general.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes independent counsel for investigations into peace officers causing death, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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