Criminal Justice

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 5061: Establishes a reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities

Directs DOCCS, in collaboration with OTDA, OMH and OASAS, to establish a 5-year reintegration pilot program for individuals being released from correctional facilities to provide supports and services to prepare for release, assist with reintegration into the community, and reduce recidivism.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes reintegration program to reduce recidivism through community support services, directly advancing criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1254: Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree and the victim is a police officer

This bill mandates life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of first-degree murder when the victim was a police officer. It directly affects defendants found guilty of killing law enforcement officers in the line of duty. The key provision amends sentencing laws to make life without parole the required sentence in these specific cases, removing judicial discretion. This change applies only to first-degree murder convictions where the victim was a police officer, not to other murder cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates life without parole for murder of police officers, removing judicial discretion and increasing mandatory sentences, opposing criminal justice reform by restricting defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1079: Requires intervention in incidents involving incarcerated individuals

Requires every police officer, peace officer and employee of a correctional facility to intervene in incidents of violence involving incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires intervention in prison violence, promoting safety and accountability in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2038: Provides for a mandatory ten-year minimum sentence of imprisonment for certain felony convictions of public servants

This bill mandates a minimum 10-year prison sentence for public servants convicted of specific corruption-related felonies, including bribery (e.g., sections 200.10-200.12), defrauding government (195.20), and corrupting government (sections 496.02-496.06). It directly affects government employees or officials found guilty of these listed offenses. The key provision requires courts to impose this 10-year minimum, overriding lower sentencing ranges for these crimes. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 10-year minimum sentences for public servant corruption, increasing mandatory penalties and overriding judicial discretion. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7180: Requires the state's model law enforcement use of force policy to conform to standards promulgated by the United Nations

Requires the state's model law enforcement use of force policy to conform to the United Nations basic principles on the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials and the United Nations code of conduct for law enforcement officials.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates alignment with UN use of force standards, enhancing police accountability and civil rights protections in law enforcement policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5118: Relates to providing judges more discretion regarding securing orders and limiting the lengths of certain orders; repealer

S 5118 amends New York's criminal procedure law to expand when police can issue appearance tickets (instead of making an arrest) for certain minor offenses, while adding specific exceptions requiring an arrest. It mandates arrests for cases involving domestic violence, hate crimes, weapons on school grounds, or when a person needs immediate medical care. The bill also introduces a new "pre-arraignment bail" option for defendants who post cash to secure court appearances after an arrest. These changes directly affect police officers, defendants, and courts by altering initial steps in criminal proceedings for eligible cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands judicial discretion to avoid minor arrests, reduces unnecessary incarceration, and introduces pre-arraignment bail - aligns with reform goals of reducing low-level criminalization while maintaining exceptions for serious offenses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Policing

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4976: Allows certain additional privileges to incarcerated individuals when visitation is suspended for any reason

This bill requires correctional facilities to provide incarcerated individuals with additional privileges when visitation is suspended for at least seven consecutive days due to emergencies or other reasons. Specifically, it mandates that each incarcerated person receive seven free stamps weekly, two free secure electronic messages via tablet, and two free phone calls weekly during such suspensions. The commissioner of corrections may create rules to implement these requirements, and the law takes effect 180 days after enactment. The bill directly affects all incarcerated individuals in state correctional facilities during extended visitation suspensions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides communication privileges to incarcerated individuals during visitation suspensions, supporting rehabilitation and family connections which reduce recidivism.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2083: Relates to enacting "Todd's Law"

This bill, "Todd's Law," increases sentencing severity for thefts targeting vulnerable individuals. It applies when someone steals property necessary for daily living (like medication or mobility aids) from elderly or disabled people, upgrading the crime category (e.g., turning a misdemeanor into a felony). The law automatically raises the offense level for larceny convictions involving such property, regardless of the original charge. It directly affects defendants convicted of these specific thefts and aims to address crimes against vulnerable populations through sentencing changes. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases sentencing severity for thefts against vulnerable groups, upgrading crimes to felony - expands criminalization and mandates harsher penalties, opposing reform-focused policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7723: Relates to expanding qualifying offenses eligible for pretrial detention and bail

This bill expands the list of offenses for which courts may deny pretrial release or require bail, directly affecting defendants charged with these specific crimes. Key additions include sex trafficking, witness intimidation/tampering, certain hate crimes, crimes involving family members (like assault or strangulation), and offenses committed while on probation or after violating release conditions. The law specifies that courts can order pretrial detention for these qualifying offenses instead of releasing defendants on their own recognizance or under non-monetary conditions. It does not change bail amounts or sentencing but alters when pretrial detention becomes an option for these listed offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands pretrial detention for specific offenses, reducing defendant rights and increasing criminalization without reform measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3688: Relates to expanding prison work release program eligibility and participation

This bill amends New York's correction law to adjust eligibility for prison work release programs. It expands eligibility to include incarcerated individuals within two years of parole eligibility (previously limited to 18 months for some), while maintaining exclusions for those convicted of specific violent crimes, sex offenses, or certain drug offenses. Key provisions require commissioner approval for participation in work release for individuals convicted of offenses involving deadly weapons, serious physical injury, or forcible compulsion, and explicitly bars participation for those sentenced for aggravated murder, rape, or other serious sexual offenses. The changes directly affect incarcerated individuals in New York state prisons seeking work release opportunities, with eligibility determined by offense type and time served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands work release eligibility (2 years vs 18 months), promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism within criminal justice reform framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole

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