Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4192: Relates to the determination of appeals in criminal proceedings

Relates to the determination of appeals; requires a showing of harmlessness; requires a consideration of all errors or defects regardless of whether they were raised during trial if such error is the result of ineffective assistance of counsel or may have contributed to the verdict.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires appellate review of ineffective counsel errors, protecting defendant rights and ensuring errors affecting verdicts are addressed, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6001: Relates to enacting the "fair court of appeals access act"

This bill, S 6001 ("Fair Court of Appeals Access Act"), changes how criminal defendants request permission to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals from decisions by intermediate appellate courts. It requires all such applications for "leave to appeal" to be submitted directly to the full Court of Appeals (not individual judges or justices), specifically to the chief judge who then assigns a judge to review the request. The bill mandates written submissions to the Court of Appeals clerk, requires notification to the opposing party, and demands that all decisions on these applications be filed immediately with the court clerk. This directly affects criminal defendants seeking to challenge intermediate court rulings by altering the procedural path to the highest appellate court.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStreamlines appeals process for criminal defendants, requiring direct submission to full Court of Appeals, enhancing access to higher court review and protecting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6567: Prohibits the use of cell-site simulators by law enforcement officers

S 6567 prohibits New York law enforcement agencies and officers from using cell-site simulators - devices that mimic cell towers to track phones without warrants. It directly affects residents whose phone data could be collected without legal authorization and law enforcement agencies operating in New York. The bill creates a private right to sue for violations, allowing affected individuals to seek $5,000 per violation or actual damages, plus attorney fees. Evidence obtained using these devices is inadmissible in court, and the law defines prohibited surveillance technology broadly to include such devices. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless cell-site simulator use by police, protecting Fourth Amendment rights and enhancing law enforcement accountability - core criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyS 6567 prohibits unauthorized use of cell-site simulators to track phones, directly protecting citizens' data privacy and digital rights from technological misuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7414: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill (A 7414) prohibits detention facilities in New York from placing children in "segregated confinement" for more than 17 hours a day. It defines segregated confinement as cell confinement exceeding 17 hours daily, excluding facility-wide emergencies or medical/mental health treatment. The law applies to all detention facilities holding children under the Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law. Exceptions allow room confinement authorized by regulations when a child poses an immediate danger to themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts youth solitary confinement in detention, aligning with criminal justice reform to protect child detainees' rights and reduce harmful practices.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prolonged segregated confinement (harmful to mental health) and explicitly allows exceptions for mental health treatment, protecting children's mental well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3885: Prohibits segregated confinement of children in a detention facility

This bill prohibits detention facilities from placing children in "segregated confinement" (cell confinement for more than 17 hours daily) under any circumstances, except during facility-wide emergencies or for medical/mental health treatment. It directly affects children detained under New York's Family Court Act or Criminal Procedure Law who are held in certified detention facilities. The law defines "segregated confinement" specifically and excludes room confinement authorized by the Office of Children and Family Services when a child poses a serious immediate danger to themselves or others. The bill amends the Family Court Act and Executive Law to implement this ban, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits harmful solitary confinement of minors in detention, directly advancing criminal justice reform by protecting vulnerable populations and aligning with rehabilitation-focused policies.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly permits mental health treatment as an exception to segregation, supporting access to mental health services for detained children.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4093: Enacts the "language barrier to justice elimination act"

Enacts the "language barrier to justice elimination act"; establishes standards for court interpreters and a procedure for waiver of a non-English speaking person's right to an interpreter in any proceeding.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes interpreter standards to ensure language access for non-English speakers in court, protecting defendant rights and advancing fair criminal justice access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationThe bill establishes standards for court interpreters for non-English speaking persons, which protects the rights and access to justice for immigrants.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Immigrant Services

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4685: Requires mercantile establishments to cease collections under certain circumstances

This bill requires stores (mercantile establishments) to immediately stop trying to collect money or recover merchandise from customers if a court finds them not guilty of larceny in a proceeding related to that store. It directly affects adults, emancipated minors, and parents/legal guardians of unemancipated minors who are acquitted in such cases. The key provision mandates that once a court issues a "not guilty" ruling, the store must cease all collection efforts without delay. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment, preventing further financial pressure on individuals after a legal acquittal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents stores from pursuing collections after criminal acquittal, protecting defendants' rights post-court ruling in larceny cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7952: Relates to domestic violence training for judges, court clerks and law enforcement officers

Requires judges or justices in a court that exercises criminal jurisdiction, including town and village justices, family court judges, and justices of the supreme court who regularly handle matrimonial matters, and court clerks of such courts to attend a program approved by the chief administrator of the courts addressing issues relating to domestic violence totaling at least ten hours every two years; requires law enforcement officers to complete ten hours of domestic violence training every two years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates domestic violence training for judges, law enforcement, and clerks to improve case handling and victim safety, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 3816: Requires mercantile establishments to cease collections under certain circumstances

This bill requires stores (mercantile establishments) to immediately stop trying to collect money or recover merchandise from customers if a court finds them "not guilty" of larceny (theft) at that store. It directly affects adults, emancipated minors, and parents/guardians of minors who were falsely accused. The key provision mandates that once a court issues a not-guilty verdict in such a case, the store cannot pursue civil claims against them, and all collection efforts must cease immediately. The law would take effect as soon as it is signed.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStops civil collections after criminal acquittal, protecting falsely accused individuals from financial harm - aligns with criminal justice reform by upholding defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6859: Precludes local criminal court from issuing a warrant of arrest based on any simplified information when the defendant has not been arraigned

Precludes a local criminal court from issuing a warrant of arrest based on any simplified information when the defendant has not been arraigned and has not come under the control of the court with respect to the charges in the simplified information; provides that this formerly applied only to simplified traffic information.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts warrant issuance without arraignment, protecting defendant due process rights, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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