Criminal Justice (Corrections)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3455: Relates to penalties for the promotion of prison contraband

Relates to penalties for the promotion of prison contraband; amends the definition of dangerous contraband; amends the promotion of prison contraband in the first degree to a class C felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates prison contraband promotion to class C felony, increasing penalties. Matches 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4250: Increases the penalties for theft of a companion animal

This bill increases penalties for stealing companion animals (like dogs and cats) by amending New York's Agriculture and Markets Law. It raises the maximum jail sentence from six months to one year for offenders convicted of this theft, while keeping the maximum fine at $5,000. The change directly affects individuals who steal pets, making the punishment more severe under existing law. The bill amends Section 366 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, effective 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases maximum jail sentence for pet theft, raising penalties under sentencing laws, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1957: Relates to establishing the offense of false pretense

This bill makes it a felony to impersonate someone online (e.g., via social media, email, or digital profiles) with the intent to harm, intimidate, threaten, or defraud them. It specifically targets situations where others reasonably believe the impersonator is the real person. Violations are classified as a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison. The law directly affects individuals who commit malicious online impersonation, creating a legal remedy for victims.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for online impersonation, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties (up to 7 years), opposing reform by broadening criminal liability.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill criminalizes malicious online impersonation to protect victims from fraud/harm, directly enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protections against digital threats.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Social Media

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5231: Establishes the crime of staging a construction site accident

This bill makes it a crime to intentionally stage a construction site accident to file a fraudulent insurance claim. It specifically targets individuals who enter a construction site to create or arrange an accident, or who direct others to do so, with the intent to submit a false insurance claim. The offense is classified as a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. This law directly affects construction workers, contractors, or others involved in insurance claims who might attempt to fabricate accidents for financial gain.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new class E felony for staged construction fraud, expanding criminalization (4-year max sentence) without reform focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1035: Establishes the crime of making a threat of mass violence

This bill creates two new criminal offenses for threatening violence at specific locations like schools, places of worship, or public gatherings. It establishes "second degree" for individuals under 18 threatening schools or other locations (with a $35,000 fine and 10-100 days detention), and "first degree" for anyone making such threats (a class D felony with a $35,000 fine and 3+ years in prison). The law applies to threats made in writing, verbally, or through any communication method. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and amends existing penal code sections to set these penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates felony offenses for threats, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties (3+ years prison), contradicting reform indicators like reduced sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1768: Enacts the "drag racing and speeding enforcement act"

This bill adds five points to a driver's license for anyone convicted of participating in speed contests or races (like drag racing). It directly affects drivers found guilty of these activities under existing traffic law. The key provision modifies the vehicle and traffic law to impose these license points in addition to any existing fines or jail time. The law will take effect on November 1st after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds license points for drag racing, expanding penalties under traffic law, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAdds license points for drag racing/speeding, enhancing road safety enforcement under vehicle regulations, directly strengthening transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 222: Relates to assault on a straphanger

This bill makes it a class C felony to cause someone to fall onto subway tracks through physical contact like shoving or kicking. It directly affects individuals who commit such assaults on subway platforms, increasing the legal penalty for these specific acts. The key provision defines "assault on a straphanger" as a new felony, adding it to the list of serious crimes punishable by up to 7.5 years in prison. The law applies to any physical contact resulting in a person falling onto subway tracks, aiming to protect passengers from intentional harm.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for subway assault by creating new felony, expanding criminalization with up to 7.5 years prison95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances subway safety by criminalizing assaults causing falls onto tracks, directly protecting public transit users and aligning with transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3880: Enhances penalties for committing multiple animal cruelty offenses

This bill increases penalties for repeat animal cruelty offenses by creating a new "aggravated cruelty" category under New York law. It defines aggravated cruelty as intentionally causing extreme pain or acting sadistically toward companion animals, with penalties escalating based on prior convictions: a class E felony for first repeat offense, class D for second, and class C for third. The law specifically excludes lawful activities like hunting, rabies control, and approved scientific research. It directly affects individuals convicted of multiple animal cruelty offenses within a decade, increasing potential prison time for repeat violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory penalties for repeat animal cruelty (class E/D/C felonies), directly aligning with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for 'oppose' stance on criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 109: Prohibits persons convicted of murder or sentenced to life without parole from being eligible for commutation of sentence

Prohibits persons convicted of murder or sentenced to life without parole or where the defendant acting either alone or with one or more other persons, commits or attempts to commit robbery, burglary, kidnapping, arson, rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse, escape in the first degree, or escape in the second degree, and, in the course of and in furtherance of such crime or of immediate flight therefrom, such defendant, or another participant, if there be any, intentionally causes the death of: a police officer; a peace officer; a firefighter, emergency medical technician, ambulance driver, paramedic, physician or registered nurse involved in a first response team, or any other individual who, in the course of official duties, performs emergency response; or an employee of a state correctional institution or was an employee of a local correctional facility, when such person was engaged in the course of performing their official duties, from being eligible for commutation of sentence.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits commutation for violent crimes like murder and robbery, restricting sentence reduction and opposing criminal justice reform efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing Probation & Parole

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 3329: Establishes the offense of obstructing a police officer

This bill creates a new class E felony offense for intentionally interfering with police officers during their duties. It specifically prohibits actions like spitting on officers, throwing objects, or physically pushing, shoving, or blocking them while they are performing official tasks. The law defines obstruction as a criminal act punishable by up to four years in prison, applying directly to individuals who disrupt officer safety or operations. The bill does not include exceptions or additional context beyond these specific prohibited behaviors.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for obstructing officers, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, opposing reform-focused justice95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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