Criminal Justice (Policing)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 224: Increases the designation of certain offenses relating to unlawfully fleeing a police officer and makes such offenses eligible for bail

This bill (S 224) amends New York's penal law to upgrade the felony classifications for unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (from E to D felony for third degree, D to C for second degree, and C for first degree). It also adds these specific fleeing offenses to the list of crimes subject to bail eligibility determinations under criminal procedure law. Under the changes, courts must evaluate whether a defendant charged with such fleeing offenses (third, second, or first degree) should be released on bail or held, considering factors like "harm to an identifiable person or property" as outlined in sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40. This affects individuals charged with these fleeing offenses during bail hearings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeUpgrades fleeing offenses to higher felonies and mandates bail determinations, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5899: Enacts "Cesar's law" to require the retaking of parolees who abscond from the supervision of the state board of parole

S 5899, "Cesar's law," requires the state board of parole to immediately issue a warrant and notify law enforcement when a parolee flees supervision. It directly affects parolees who abscond and the parole board, mandating they take specific action instead of allowing delays. The law specifies the board must declare the person "delinquent," issue a retaking warrant, and inform local police without delay upon reasonable belief of absconding. This policy change adds a concrete procedural step for parole supervision compliance, ensuring prompt action on absconders while preserving the parolee's right to a hearing after being recaptured.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates immediate parolee recapture without delay, tightening enforcement rather than promoting reform or rehabilitation, aligning with stricter criminal justice measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 108: Establishes the crime of failure to retreat

Establishes the crime of failure to retreat when a person who is within twenty-five feet of a police officer or peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties and the police officer or peace officer orders such person to halt or retreat and the person fails to do so immediately; requires the posting of bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime for non-compliance with police orders, expanding criminalization and restricting defendant rights through mandatory bail requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 942: Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory life without parole for specific murders increases sentencing severity and reduces defendant rights, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Probation & Parole

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 535: Removes the deadly weapon or dangerous instrument requirement from aggravated assault upon a police officer or peace officer

This bill removes the requirement that a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument must be used for an assault on a police or peace officer to be classified as "aggravated." It directly affects police officers and peace officers by changing the legal definition of aggravated assault against them. Under the revised law, intentionally causing serious injury to an officer while they are performing duties - without needing to prove a weapon was used - becomes a class B felony. The change simplifies the legal threshold for this offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves weapon requirement for aggravated assault on officers, making it easier to charge as class B felony - increases penalties for assaults on law enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 58: Establishes the crime of making a terroristic threat against a police officer

S 58 creates a new criminal offense for making threats of violence against police officers, classifying it as a class C felony. The bill defines the crime as threatening to commit violence against an officer with the intent to intimidate civilians, influence government policy, or disrupt government operations. It explicitly states that lacking the intent or ability to carry out the threat is not a valid defense. This law directly affects individuals who make such threats, imposing felony penalties rather than lesser offenses. The bill aims to strengthen legal consequences for threats targeting law enforcement personnel.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new felony for threatening police, expanding criminalization. Directly increases penalties for speech without reform, aligning with 'oppose' indicators: expands criminalization and restricts defendant rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3119: Establishes the crime of inciting violence against a police officer

S 3119 creates a new felony offense for intentionally advocating violence against police officers when that advocacy is likely to incite immediate violence. It directly affects individuals who publicly call for violence against officers, such as through speeches, social media, or other communications. The law defines the crime as a class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison, and requires proof of both intent to incite violence and a likelihood of imminent harm. The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment if passed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony for inciting violence against police, expanding criminalization of speech and restricting advocacy that could lead to violence against officers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 175: Establishes the crime of aggravated offering of a false accusation against a police officer

Establishes the crime of aggravated offering of a false accusation against a police officer or peace officer for knowing the information reported to be false or baseless, such person reports, by word or action, to a law enforcement officer or agency, the wrongdoing by a police officer or peace officer in the performance of such officer's duties; requires the posting of bail.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes false accusations against police, expanding criminalization and potentially weakening law enforcement oversight by deterring reporting of misconduct.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5897: Creates the crime of falsely accusing someone of a crime

This bill creates a new crime for knowingly submitting a false written accusation of a crime to law enforcement. It directly affects individuals who sign and submit false police reports or similar documents, knowing the accusation is untrue. The law makes this a class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison. The bill specifically targets false criminal accusations made to police or prosecutors, not general false statements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new class E felony for false police reports, expanding criminalization of accusations to law enforcement90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Policing

Track

failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7565: Relates to fixing bail and cause for arresting for non-citizen; repealer

Makes all offenses qualifying offenses for bail where the principal is a non-citizen; requires courts remand without bail when any principal charged with an offense has an outstanding United States immigration and customs enforcement detainer; includes federal laws, rules, and regulations in the definition of offense; allows police officers to detain certain non-citizens; reinstates the maximum sentence for misdemeanors as three hundred sixty-five days.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReinstates 365-day max for misdemeanors and mandates no bail for non-citizens with immigration detainers, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationThe bill restricts bail for non-citizens, mandates cooperation with ICE detainers, and allows police to detain certain non-citizens, directly increasing state immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

Track