Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5698: Relates to the criminal impersonation in the second degree and establishing a stolen valor fee

Provides that a person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when a person pretends to be a servicemember or former servicemember, or a first responder, or as having received a decoration or medal; establishes a stolen valor fee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes impersonation of military/personnel and adds penalties, expanding criminalization in law enforcement context.95% confidence

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5498: Establishes the crime of criminal use of public records

Establishes the class E felony of criminal use of public records for the intentional use of any public record in the course of or in furtherance of the commission of a crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for using public records in crimes, expanding criminalization without reform indicators.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7396: Increases the penalties for sexual performances by a child and provides for consecutive sentencing upon certain multiple convictions

Increases the penalties for sexual performances by a child; increases age from 16 to 18 for application of existing sexual performance crimes; creates crimes of use of a child in a sexual performance in the first degree, promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child in the first degree, and promoting a sexual performance by a child in the first degree; provides for consecutive sentencing upon certain multiple convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties and consecutive sentencing for child sexual performance crimes, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Sentencing

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 2198: Establishes the crime of assault on a pregnant person

Establishes the crimes of assault on a pregnant person in the second degree as a class D felony and assault on a pregnant person in the first degree as a class C felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felonies for assault on pregnant persons, expanding criminalization beyond existing assault laws per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1116: Relates to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals

This bill removes the two-year maximum sentence for aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony offense under current law. It amends New York's agriculture and markets law to eliminate the cap on imprisonment for this specific crime, meaning judges can now impose longer sentences. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals by changing the sentencing guidelines. The legislation, nicknamed "Tucker's law," takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves two-year cap on animal cruelty sentencing, enabling longer prison terms. Increases severity of penalties, opposing typical criminal justice reform goals of reducing harsh sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7661: Relates to the retention of court records pertaining to violent felonies

Bill A 7661 requires the chief administrator of courts to permanently retain all court records related to violent felony convictions. It directly affects individuals convicted of violent felonies by ensuring their court records cannot be destroyed or erased (expunged). The bill mandates that these records be exempt from standard retention schedules and kept indefinitely. This change applies to all court records associated with such convictions, without exception. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePrevents expungement of violent felony records, reducing defendant rights to clear records per bill's mandate.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5902: Elevates all computer tampering offenses by one degree in severity

This bill raises the severity level of all computer tampering offenses by one degree in New York's penal law. It changes classifications so that, for example, computer tampering previously classified as a fourth-degree misdemeanor (the least severe) becomes a fourth-degree felony, while higher degrees (third, second, first) also move up to more serious felony categories. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of computer tampering crimes, as it increases potential penalties by elevating their offense level. These changes apply to all existing computer tampering statutes (sections 156.20-156.27) and take effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates computer tampering penalties to harsher felony classifications, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization - directly opposing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyIncreases penalties for computer tampering, enhancing cybersecurity by elevating offense severity under penal law.95% confidence

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4161: Prohibits removal of adolescent offenders to family court in certain circumstances

This bill (A 4161) amends New York's criminal procedure law to prevent adolescent offenders from being transferred to family court when they possessed a loaded firearm during the crime. It adds a specific condition (point iii) that requires the court to deny family court jurisdiction if the defendant had a loaded firearm as defined in Penal Law §265.00 at the time of the offense. The law directly affects minors charged with certain crimes who had a loaded firearm involved, mandating they proceed in criminal court instead of family court. This change clarifies the court's decision-making process under existing law without altering penalties or creating new offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill denies family court jurisdiction for minors with loaded firearm, mandating criminal court instead. Removes rehabilitative options and increases punitive measures, opposing reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2557: Creates the crime of stolen valor

Bill A 2557 creates the new crime of "stolen valor." This bill makes it illegal for a person to knowingly misrepresent themselves as a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or organized militia, or as a recipient of a military decoration or medal. This misrepresentation, such as wearing a uniform or medal, must be done with the intent to obtain money, property, or another tangible benefit. Individuals convicted of stolen valor would be charged with a class A misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense (stolen valor) for misrepresenting military status to obtain benefits.90% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1280: Establishes the crime of unlawful dissemination or publication of a fabricated photographic, videographic, or audio record

This bill makes it a felony to intentionally create and share manipulated media (like deepfakes) that appears real and harms an identifiable person without their consent, with the intent to cause emotional, financial, or physical harm. It specifically targets fabricated photos, videos, or audio created using AI or editing tools that look authentic but depict false scenarios. Exceptions include news reporting, artistic expression, law enforcement use, and platforms sharing content they didn’t create. The law defines "fabricated" as media indistinguishable from reality that’s altered or entirely artificial, and classifies violations as a class E felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for deepfake dissemination, expanding criminalization beyond traditional offenses95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI-generated deepfakes to prevent emotional/financial harm, aligning with data privacy protections and cybersecurity safeguards against malicious tech use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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