Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Assembly Oct 16, 2025

A 934: Relates to peremptory challenges where there are two or more defendants

This bill changes rules for peremptory challenges (challenges to exclude jurors without reason) in criminal trials with two or more defendants. It specifies that when defendants are tried jointly, they are treated as a single party for challenge purposes. The key provision requires that a peremptory challenge must be allowed if a majority of defendants agree or if there is a tie with an even number of defendants. This directly affects defendants in multi-defendant criminal cases by clarifying when joint challenges can be exercised.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies peremptory challenges in joint trials, requiring majority consent to exclude jurors, protecting defendants' rights in multi-defendant cases.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 2551: Increases the fines imposed on a corporation for an offense defined within the penal law

This bill increases maximum fines for corporations convicted of crimes under New York's criminal law. It raises the top fine for felony convictions from $10,000 to $80,000 and for certain serious misdemeanors from $5,000 to $40,000. For offenses where fines are based on corporate gain, the maximum now triples that gain amount. Signed into law in October 2025, it directly affects corporations found guilty of criminal offenses in New York.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases corporate fines for crimes, aligning with stricter sentencing indicators per oppose definition.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Assembly Oct 16, 2025

A 4159: Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to certain peer support advocates based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration

Prohibits correctional facilities from denying entry to peer support advocates who are certified or licensed and are participating in the provision of corrections-based substance use disorder treatment and transition services based on such advocates' prior history of incarceration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers for formerly incarcerated peer advocates in correctional treatment programs, advancing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through direct service access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers for certified peer advocates in correctional substance use disorder treatment, improving access to mental health services within healthcare context.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Oct 16, 2025

S 4906: Provides for certain victim statements to be taken at their workplace instead of the police department

Provides for certain victim statements to be taken at their workplace instead of the police department where such workplace was the scene of the crime and is a hospital, emergency medical facility, nursing home or residential health care facility.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill streamlines victim statement collection at crime scene workplaces, reducing trauma and improving cooperation - aligns with victim rights in criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · New York · Senate Sep 26, 2025

S 4767: Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities

Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates police training for autism/developmental disability interactions, reducing potential harm and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of improved officer conduct and civil rights protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 13, 2025

S 2695: Relates to admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress

Prohibits the admissibility of evidence of a victim's sexual conduct, sexual predisposition, or manner of dress in civil actions or proceedings; provides limited exceptions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits victim-blaming evidence in court, aligns with criminal justice reform protecting civil rights and reducing bias in proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 6244: Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act"

Enacts the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish mental health act" which establishes a law enforcement peer support program to provide confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling; defines terms; provides exceptions for when a peer support communication may be disclosed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes confidential peer support for law enforcement officers, enhancing mental health resources and accountability - aligns with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates law enforcement peer support program with confidentiality for mental health counseling, directly advancing mental health services as a healthcare component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 8198: Relates to requiring certain records checks in child custody proceedings; repealer

This bill (S 8198) requires New York courts to check specific records before making custody decisions in child custody cases involving orders of protection. Courts must review sex offender registry data, protection order records, related court decisions, and warrants. The bill modifies Family Court Act section 842 to mandate these checks and repeals an outdated section of the same law. It directly affects family courts, parents involved in custody disputes with protection orders, and children in those cases. The law aims to ensure custody decisions consider relevant safety information during protection order proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates criminal records checks (sex offender registry, protection orders) in custody cases to prevent harm, aligning with criminal justice reform by enhancing safety through informed judicial decisions.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 8320: Relates to the contents of claims

This bill (S 8320) modifies court pleading rules for certain claims involving sexual offenses. It exempts claims alleging physical or psychological injury from sexual offenses (as defined in New York Penal Law) against children or adults aged 18+ from needing detailed technical descriptions of the claim. Specifically, it removes the requirement to specify exact details like the time, place, or nature of the injury in these cases, preventing dismissals based solely on pleading technicalities. The law applies immediately to new claims, pending cases, and some previously dismissed claims that are still appealable.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts sexual offense claims from technical pleading requirements, preventing dismissals and protecting victim rights in criminal justice proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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