NY State Senate Bill 2013-S3337C

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Codes Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

Please enter your contact information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

A valid email address is required.

Home address is used to determine the senate district in which you reside. Your support or opposition to this bill is then shared immediately with the senator who represents you.

Optional services from the NY State Senate:

Create an account. An account allows you to officially support or oppose key legislation, sign petitions with a single click, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Include a custom message for your Senator? (Optional)

Enter a message to your senator. Many New Yorkers use this to share the reasoning behind their support or opposition to the bill. Others might share a personal anecdote about how the bill would affect them or people they care about.

Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Apr 09, 2014	print number 3337c
Apr 09, 2014	amend and recommit to codes
Jan 08, 2014	referred to codes
May 13, 2013	print number 3337b
May 13, 2013	amend and recommit to codes
Mar 22, 2013	print number 3337a
Mar 22, 2013	amend and recommit to codes
Feb 01, 2013	referred to codes

Bill Amendments

Original

C (Active)

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S3337 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4314
Current Committee:: Senate Codes
Law Section:: Penal Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§60.12 & 70.45, Pen L; add §440.47, amd §§450.90 & 390.50, CP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S5436, A7874
2015-2016: S2036, A4409
2017-2018: S3340, S5116, A3110
2019-2020: S1077, A3974

2013-S3337 - Summary

Relates to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases.

2013-S3337 - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S3337

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the penal law and the criminal procedure
law, in relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence
cases

PURPOSE:  To expand upon the existing provisions of alternative sentenc-
ing for domestic violence cases; second, to allow judges the opportunity
to resentence currently incarcerated persons for offenses in which
certain domestic violence criteria was a significant element of the
offense.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends § 60.12 of the penal law and adds new
subparagraphs 4 and 5 to specify which offenses may be considered under
the alternative indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for domestic
violence cases.

Section 2 of the bill amends 570.45 of the penal law to permit determi-
nate sentencing for persons sentenced pursuant to0.12(5).

Section 3 of the bill adds a new § 440.47 to the criminal procedure law
to allow currently incarcerated persons to apply for resentencing pursu-
ant to 560.12 of the penal law.

Section 4 of the bill amends § 450.90 of the criminal Procedure law to
grant leave for appeal.

Section 5 of the bill provides that these amendments would take effect
120 days after it shall have become law.

JUSTIFICATION:  Domestic violence and women's incarceration are inextri-
cably linked:  nine of 10 incarcerated women have experienced severe
physical or sexual violence in their lifetimes, eight of 10 experienced
serious physical or sexual violence during childhood; 75% suffered
severe physical violence by an intimate partner during adulthood; and
37% were raped before their incarceration. Ninety-three percent of women
convicted of killing an intimate partner were abused by an intimate
partner in the past.

Over the past 30 years, domestic violence has been increasingly recog-
nized as a national epidemic. Unfortunately, the significant advances
made by the anti-violence movement have stopped short of reforming the
unjust ways in which the criminal justice system responds to and
punishes domestic violence survivors who act to protect themselves from
an abuser's violence.

All too often, when a survivor defends herself and her children, our
criminal justice system responds with harsh punishment instead of with
compassion and assistance. Much of this punishment is a result of our

state's current sentencing structure which does not allow judges
discretion to fully consider the impact of domestic violence when deter-
mining sentence lengths. This leads to long, unfair prison sentences for
many survivors.

The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act would address this problem
for both male and female survivors of domestic violence by: (1) allowing
judges to sentence survivors to alternative sentences of imprisonment
including determinate sentences and, in some cases, community-based
alternative-to-incarceration program and (2) providing survivors
currently in prison the opportunity to apply for resentencing, granting
much-deserved relief for incarcerated individuals who rose no threat to
public safety.

The Act contains protections to ensure appropriate use of this
discretion - a judge can only grant an alternative sentence to a defend-
ant if s/he finds that: (1) the defendant was, at the time of the
offense, a victim of domestic violence subjected to substantial phys-
ical, sexual or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the "same
family or household" as the defendant as that term is defined in subdi-
vision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law; (2) the
abuse was a "significant contributing factor" to the defendant's partic-
ipation in the crime; and, (3) a sentence under current law would be
"unduly harsh."

The bill requires a judge to apply the same test when determining resen-
tencing eligibility for an incarcerated survivor who submits a resen-
tencing application to the court. In order to be considered for eligi-
bility, an incarcerated survivor is also required to include evidence
corroborating the claim she was, at the time of tile offense, a victim
of domestic violence.

The Act would address shortcomings in New York's current domestic
violence sentencing exception, enacted as part of the state's 1998
Sentencing Reform Act, commonly known as Jenna's Law. This exception
allows judges to give survivors indeterminate sentences, At the time,
state officials thought this exception would lead to less punitive
sentencing for survivors - unfortunately, it did not. In 2007, only one
person had been sentenced under this exception. He received 6 to 12
years longer than the minimum term allowed for individuals not sentenced
under this provision) and was denied parole twice. In 2009, not a single
person was incarcerated under the exception.

The New York State Sentencing Commission, established in 2007, noted
that this law should be replaced "with a comparable ameliorative
provision that would allow for the imposition of less harsh, determinate
sentences in such cases." The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act
would do just that.

Eligibility for alternative indeterminate sentences of imprisonment,
determinate sentences of imprisonment and alternatives to incarceration
for women survivors is particularly appropriate as they most often have

no prior criminal records, no history of violence and extremely low
recidivism rates: of the 38 women convicted of murder and released
between 1985 and 2003, not a single one returned to prison for a new
crime within a 36-month period of release - a 0% recidivism rate.

Community-based alternative programs are far more effective than prison
in allowing survivors to rebuild relationships with their families,
recover from abuse, and take responsibility while positively participat-
ing in their communities. Allowing mothers to live in the community
while serving sentences also permits them to maintain ties to children
and lessen the trauma of separation - thereby increasing the likelihood
that children will receive the support they need to become healthy,
productive adults.  In addition, New York can save substantial costs by
sentencing DV survivors to lower sentences and alternative programs. It
costs approximately $43,000 per year to incarcerate a person in a New
York State prison, while the annual cost per participant of an alterna-
tive to incarceration program in New York City is only $11,000.  Alter-
native programs save taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars per person
each year while helping to build healthy and safe individuals and commu-
nities.

Domestic and international human rights standards uphold the right of
women - and all people - to live free from violence. Our government has
recognized its responsibility to preserve this right and provide support
for DV survivors. This responsibility does not end when a survivor
becomes involved in the criminal justice system because of abuse she
suffers - in part because the very lack of adequate protection, inter-
vention and support is what often leads to this involvement in the first
place. With no compromise to public safety, the DV Survivors justice Act
will help New York address the years of injustice faced by survivors
whose lives have been shattered by domestic abuse and decrease the like-
lihood of survivors being victimized by the very system that should help
protect them.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:  Given that this
legislation may result in: (1) alternative sentences and non-incarcera-
tive sentences for at least some domestic violence survivor-defendants
and (2) resentencing and conditional release for at least some currently
incarcerated survivors, it is very likely that this bill will save the
state funds.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  This legislation would take 120 days after enactment.

2013-S3337 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  3337

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            February 1, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens. HASSELL-THOMPSON, ADAMS, ADDABBO, AVELLA, BRESLIN,
  CARLUCCI, DILAN, ESPAILLAT, GRISANTI, KENNEDY, KLEIN,  KRUEGER,  MONT-
  GOMERY,  PARKER,  PERALTA,  PERKINS, RIVERA, SAMPSON, SAVINO, SERRANO,
  STAVISKY, STEWART-COUSINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and  when
  printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  penal  law  and  the criminal procedure law, in
  relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Section  60.12 of the penal law, as added by chapter 1 of
the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
S 60.12 Authorized disposition; alternative [indeterminate] sentence [of
          imprisonment]; domestic violence cases.
  1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, where a court is impos-
ing sentence UPON A PERSON pursuant to  section  70.00,  70.02  [upon  a
conviction for an offense enumerated in subdivision one of such section]
OR  70.06  OF  THIS TITLE, other than FOR an offense defined in [article
one hundred thirty of this chapter] SECTION 125.26, 125.27,  SUBDIVISION
FIVE  OF SECTION 125.25, OR ARTICLE FOUR HUNDRED NINETY OF THIS CHAPTER,
AN ATTEMPT OR CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT  ANY  SUCH  OFFENSE,  OR  WHERE  SUCH
PERSON  IS  REQUIRED  TO  REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
SIX-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW, and is authorized or required  pursuant  to
[such  section] SECTIONS 70.00, 70.02 OR 70.06 to impose a [determinate]
sentence of imprisonment [for such offense], the court, upon a  determi-
nation following a hearing that
  (a)  AT  THE  TIME  OF  THE INSTANT OFFENSE, the defendant was [the] A
victim of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO SUBSTANTIAL physical, sexual or
psychological abuse [by the victim or intended victim of such  offense,]
INFLICTED  BY  A MEMBER OF THE SAME FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS THE DEFENDANT
AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE  OF  SECTION  530.11  OF  THE
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW;

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06253-01-3

S. 3337                             2

  (b)  such  abuse was a SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTING factor [in causing the
defendant to commit such offense  and]    TO  THE  DEFENDANT'S  CRIMINAL
BEHAVIOR;
  (c) [the victim or intended victim of such offense was a member of the
same  family  or  household  as the defendant as such term is defined in
subdivision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law, may, in
lieu of imposing such determinate sentence of  imprisonment,  impose  an
indeterminate  sentence  of imprisonment in accordance with subdivisions
two and three of this section.] HAVING REGARD FOR THE NATURE AND CIRCUM-
STANCES OF THE CRIME AND THE HISTORY, CHARACTER  AND  CONDITION  OF  THE
DEFENDANT,  THAT THE SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00,
70.02 OR 70.06 OF THIS TITLE WOULD BE UNDULY HARSH MAY INSTEAD IMPOSE  A
SENTENCE  IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX OR
SEVEN OF THIS SECTION.
  A COURT MAY  DETERMINE  THAT  SUCH  ABUSE  CONSTITUTES  A  SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTING  FACTOR  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  THIS SUBDIVISION
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DEFENDANT RAISED A DEFENSE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
THIRTY-FIVE, ARTICLE FORTY, OR SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 125.25 OF THIS
CHAPTER.
  AT THE HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFENDANT SHOULD BE  SENTENCED
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION,  THE  COURT SHALL CONSIDER ORAL AND WRITTEN
ARGUMENTS, TAKE TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES OFFERED BY  EITHER  PARTY,  AND
CONSIDER  RELEVANT EVIDENCE TO ASSIST IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION. RELI-
ABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  2. [The maximum term of an indeterminate sentence imposed pursuant  to
subdivision  one of this section must be fixed by the court as follows:]
WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  PURSUANT
TO SECTION 70.02 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A DEFINITE SENTENCE
OF IMPRISONMENT OF ONE YEAR OR LESS, OR PROBATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION 65.00 OF THIS TITLE, OR MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRI-
SONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (a) For a class B felony, the term must be at least  [six  years]  ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [twenty-five] FIVE years;
  (b) For a class C felony, the term must be at least [four and one-half
years] ONE YEAR and must not exceed [fifteen] THREE AND ONE-HALF years;
  (c)  For a class D felony, the term must be at least [three years] ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [seven] TWO years; and
  (d) For a class E felony, the term must be [at least three years]  ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [four] ONE AND ONE-HALF years.
  3. [The minimum period of imprisonment under an indeterminate sentence
imposed pursuant to subdivision one of this section must be fixed by the
court  at  one-half of the maximum term imposed and must be specified in
the sentence] WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE  BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A
SENTENCE  FOR A CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00 OF THIS
TITLE OR TO SUBDIVISION TWO OR THREE OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE
COURT MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND  NOT  TO
EXCEED FIFTEEN YEARS.
  4.  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD  OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS  TITLE,  THE  COURT
MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (A)  FOR  A  CLASS B FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST THREE YEARS AND
MUST NOT EXCEED EIGHT YEARS;
  (B) FOR A CLASS C FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO  AND  ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED FIVE YEARS;
  (C) FOR A CLASS D FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND MUST
NOT EXCEED THREE YEARS;

S. 3337                             3

  (D)  FOR  A CLASS E FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED TWO YEARS.
  5.  WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE FOR
A CLASS B, C, D OR E FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION  70.00  OF  THIS
TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  6.  EXCEPT  AS  PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF THIS SECTION, WHERE A
COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A  SENTENCE  PURSUANT  TO
SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A
SENTENCE  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF
SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  7. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A  SENTENCE
PURSUANT  TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, WHERE THE
PRIOR FELONY CONVICTION WAS FOR A  FELONY  OFFENSE  DEFINED  IN  SECTION
70.02  OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  S 2. Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of  subdivision  2  of
section  70.45  of the penal law, as amended by chapter 7 of the laws of
2007, are amended to read as follows:
  (a) such period shall be one year whenever a determinate  sentence  of
imprisonment  is imposed pursuant to subdivision two of section 70.70 of
this article OR SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE  upon  a
conviction of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (b)  such  period  shall  be  not less than one year nor more than two
years whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed  pursu-
ant  to  subdivision two of section 70.70 of this article OR SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a  class  B  or
class C felony offense;
  (c)  such  period  shall  be  not less than one year nor more than two
years whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed  pursu-
ant  to  subdivision  three  or four of section 70.70 of this article OR
SUBDIVISION SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon  conviction
of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (d) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than  three  years  whenever  a  determinate sentence of imprisonment is
imposed pursuant to subdivision three or four of section 70.70  of  this
article  OR SUBDIVISION SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon
conviction of a class B felony or class C felony offense;
  (e) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than three years whenever a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three of section 70.02 of this article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class D or class E violent felony offense;
  (f) such period shall be not less than two and one-half years nor more
than five years whenever  a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three of section 70.02 of this article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class B or class C violent felony offense.
  S 3. The criminal procedure law is amended by  adding  a  new  section
440.47 to read as follows:
S 440.47 MOTION FOR RESENTENCE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.
  1.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  CONTRARY  PROVISION OF LAW, ON THE EFFECTIVE
DATE OF THIS SECTION, ANY PERSON IN THE CUSTODY  OF  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
CORRECTIONS  AND COMMUNITY SUPERVISION SERVING A SENTENCE WITH A MINIMUM
OR DETERMINATE TERM OF EIGHT YEARS OR  MORE  FOR  AN  OFFENSE  COMMITTED
PRIOR  TO  SUCH  EFFECTIVE DATE AND ELIGIBLE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE

S. 3337                             4

PURSUANT TO SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW MAY SUBMIT AN APPLICATION  TO
BE  RESENTENCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW IN THE
COURT WHICH IMPOSED THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE.
  SUCH  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING  UNDER  THIS SECTION MUST INCLUDE
EVIDENCE CORROBORATING SUCH PERSON'S CLAIM THAT HE OR SHE  WAS,  AT  THE
TIME  OF THE COMMITMENT OFFENSE, A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED
TO SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL, SEXUAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE  INFLICTED  BY  A
MEMBER OF HIS OR HER SAME FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN
SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 530.11 OF THIS CHAPTER.
  SUCH EVIDENCE MAY INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO, WITNESS STATE-
MENTS,  COURT  RECORDS,  PRE-SENTENCE  REPORTS, SOCIAL SERVICES RECORDS,
CITY AND STATE  DEPARTMENT  OF  CORRECTIONS  AND  COMMUNITY  SUPERVISION
RECORDS,  HOSPITAL  RECORDS,  LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS, DOMESTIC INCIDENT
REPORTS, ORDERS OF PROTECTION, A SHOWING BASED IN PART ON  DOCUMENTATION
PREPARED  AT  OR  NEAR  THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE OR THE
PROSECUTION THEREOF TENDING TO SUPPORT THE PERSON'S CLAIM, OR WHEN THERE
IS VERIFICATION OF CONSULTATION WITH A LICENSED MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER, EMPLOYEE OF A COURT ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER
EMPLOYMENT, MEMBER OF THE  CLERGY,  ATTORNEY,  SOCIAL  WORKER,  OR  RAPE
CRISIS  COUNSELOR  AS  DEFINED  IN SECTION FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE
CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, OR OTHER ADVOCATE ACTING ON BEHALF  OF  AN
AGENCY  THAT  ASSISTS  VICTIMS  OF  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ASSISTING SUCH  PERSON  WITH  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  VICTIM  COUNSELING  OR
SUPPORT.
  2.  THE  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING SHALL BE REFERRED FOR DETERMI-
NATION TO THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE WHO IMPOSED THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCE  UPON
THE APPLICANT. IF, AT THE TIME OF THE APPLICATION, THE ORIGINAL SENTENC-
ING  JUDGE  OR  JUSTICE  IS  A  JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION, BUT SUCH COURT IS NOT THE  COURT  IN  WHICH  THE  ORIGINAL
SENTENCE WAS IMPOSED, THEN THE APPLICATION SHALL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO
ANOTHER JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE COURT IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE WAS
IMPOSED,  PROVIDED  THAT  THE  DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND APPLICANT MAY AGREE
THAT THE APPLICATION BE REFERRED TO THE ORIGINAL  SENTENCING  JUDGE.  IF
THE ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE IS NO LONGER A JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT
OF  COMPETENT  JURISDICTION,  THEN  THE  APPLICATION  SHALL  BE RANDOMLY
ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE COURT.
  3. IF, IN REVIEWING THE APPLICATION, THE  COURT  DETERMINES  THAT  THE
APPLICANT  DOES NOT STAND CONVICTED OF AN OFFENSE ELIGIBLE FOR AN ALTER-
NATIVE SENTENCE PURSUANT TO SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW  OR  HAS  NOT
COMPLIED  WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, THE
COURT SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER DISMISSING THE APPLICATION WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  4. (A) UPON THE COURT'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE APPLICATION, THE COURT SHALL
PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE  APPROPRIATE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  AND  PROVIDE  SUCH
DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH A COPY OF THE PETITION.
  (B) AFTER SUCH NOTIFICATION, THE COURT MAY CONDUCT A HEARING TO AID IN
MAKING  ITS  DETERMINATION  OF  WHETHER THE APPLICANT MEETS THE CRITERIA
ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 60.12 OF  THE  PENAL  LAW  AND
SHOULD  BE  RESENTENCED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS SECTION. AT SUCH HEARING THE
COURT SHALL DETERMINE ANY CONTROVERTED ISSUE OF FACT RELEVANT  TO  THESE
CRITERIA  AND  TO  THE  ISSUE  OF  SENTENCING. RELIABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE
ADMISSIBLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  (C) THE COURT MAY CONSIDER ANY FACTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES RELEVANT TO  THE
IMPOSITION OF A NEW SENTENCE WHICH ARE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT OR THE
DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  AND  MAY,  IN  ADDITION,  CONSIDER THE INSTITUTIONAL
RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH PERSON, BUT SHALL NOT ORDER A NEW PRE-SEN-
TENCE INVESTIGATION AND REPORT OR ENTERTAIN ANY MATTER  CHALLENGING  THE

S. 3337                             5

UNDERLYING BASIS OF THE SUBJECT CONVICTION. THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION OF
THE INSTITUTIONAL RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH APPLICANT SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT  NOT BE LIMITED TO, SUCH APPLICANT'S PARTICIPATION IN OR WILLINGNESS
TO  PARTICIPATE  IN PROGRAMMING SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PARENTING AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT WHILE INCARCERATED AND SUCH APPLICANT'S DISCI-
PLINARY HISTORY. THE FACT THAT THE APPLICANT MAY  HAVE  BEEN  UNABLE  TO
PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT OR OTHER PROGRAMMING WHILE INCARCERATED DESPITE
SUCH APPLICANT'S WILLINGNESS TO DO SO SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A NEGATIVE
FACTOR IN DETERMINING A MOTION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  (D)  IF  THE COURT DETERMINES, AFTER REVIEW OF THE SUBMISSIONS AND THE
FINDINGS OF FACT MADE IN CONNECTION  WITH  THE  APPLICATION,  THAT  SUCH
APPLICANT  MEETS  THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW  AND  SHOULD  BE  RESENTENCED  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
SECTION,  THE  COURT  SHALL INFORM SUCH APPLICANT OF THE NEW SENTENCE IT
WOULD IMPOSE UPON SUCH CONVICTION, AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 60.12 OF THE
PENAL LAW, AND SHALL ENTER AN ORDER TO THAT EFFECT. IF THE COURT  DETER-
MINES  THAT SUCH PERSON DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED IN SUBDI-
VISION ONE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW AND SHOULD  NOT  BE  RESEN-
TENCED,  THE COURT SHALL INFORM SUCH APPLICANT OF ITS DECISION AND SHALL
ENTER AN ORDER TO THAT EFFECT.
  (E) THE COURT SHALL NOTIFY THE APPLICANT THAT, UNLESS HE OR SHE  WITH-
DRAWS  THE  APPLICATION OR APPEALS FROM SUCH ORDER, THE COURT WILL ENTER
AN ORDER VACATING THE SENTENCE ORIGINALLY IMPOSED AND IMPOSING  THE  NEW
SENTENCE  TO BE IMPOSED AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW.
ANY ORDER ISSUED BY A COURT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST INCLUDE  WRIT-
TEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND THE REASONS FOR SUCH ORDER.
  5.  AN  APPEAL  MAY BE TAKEN AS OF RIGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER: (A) FROM AN ORDER DENYING  RESENTENCING;  OR
(B) FROM A NEW SENTENCE IMPOSED UNDER THIS PROVISION AND MAY BE BASED ON
THE GROUNDS THAT (I) THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE;
OR (II) THAT THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS UNAUTHORIZED AS A MATTER OF
LAW.  UPON  REMAND  TO  THE  SENTENCING  COURT FOLLOWING SUCH APPEAL THE
APPLICANT SHALL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO WITHDRAW AN  APPLICATION  FOR
RESENTENCING BEFORE ANY RESENTENCE IS IMPOSED.
  6.  SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN AND SUBDIVISION
FOUR OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO  OF  THE  COUNTY  LAW  AND  THE
RELATED  PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW SHALL APPLY TO THE
PREPARATION OF AND PROCEEDINGS ON APPLICATIONS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION,
INCLUDING ANY APPEALS.
  7. IN CALCULATING THE NEW TERM TO BE SERVED BY THE APPLICANT  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, SUCH APPLICANT SHALL BE CREDITED FOR
ANY JAIL TIME CREDITED TOWARDS THE SUBJECT CONVICTION  AS  WELL  AS  ANY
PERIOD OF INCARCERATION CREDITED TOWARD THE SENTENCE ORIGINALLY IMPOSED.
  S 4. Subdivision 1 of section 450.90 of the criminal procedure law, as
amended  by section 10 of part AAA of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is
amended to read as follows:
  1. Provided that a certificate granting  leave  to  appeal  is  issued
pursuant  to section 460.20, an appeal may, except as provided in subdi-
vision two, be taken to the court of appeals by either the defendant  or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  pursuant to section 450.10, 450.15, or 450.20, or from
an order granting or denying a motion to set aside an order of an inter-
mediate appellate court on  the  ground  of  ineffective  assistance  or
wrongful deprivation of appellate counsel, or by either the defendant or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-

S. 3337                             6

ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  from  an  order  entered pursuant to section 440.46 OR
SECTION 440.47 of this chapter. An order of  an  intermediate  appellate
court  is  adverse to the party who was the appellant in such court when
it affirms the judgment, sentence or order appealed from, and is adverse
to the party who was the respondent in such court when it  reverses  the
judgment,  sentence  or  order  appealed  from. An appellate court order
which modifies a judgment or order appealed from is partially adverse to
each party.
  S 5. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S3337A - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4314
Current Committee:: Senate Codes
Law Section:: Penal Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§60.12 & 70.45, Pen L; add §440.47, amd §§450.90 & 390.50, CP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S5436, A7874
2015-2016: S2036, A4409
2017-2018: S3340, S5116, A3110
2019-2020: S1077, A3974

2013-S3337A - Summary

Relates to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases.

2013-S3337A - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S3337A

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the penal law and the criminal
procedure law, in relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic
violence cases

PURPOSE:  To expand upon the existing provisions of alternative
sentencing for domestic violence cases; second, to allow judges the
opportunity to resentence currently incarcerated persons for offenses
in which certain domestic violence criteria was a significant element
of the offense.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:;

Section 1 of the bill amends § 60.12 of the penal law and adds new
subparagraphs 4 and 5 to specify which offenses may be considered
under the alternative indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for
domestic violence cases.

Section 2 of the bill amends §70.45 of the penal law to permit
determinate sentencing for persons sentenced pursuant to 0.12(5).

Section 3 of the bill adds a new § 440.47 to the criminal procedure
law to allow currently incarcerated persons to apply for resentencing
pursuant to 560.12 of the penal law.

Section 4 of the bill amends § 450.90 of the criminal procedure law to
grant leave for appeal.

Section 6 of the bill provides that these amendments would take effect
120 days after it shall have become law.

JUSTIFICATION:

Domestic violence and women's incarceration are inextricably linked:
nine of 10 incarcerated women have experienced severe physical or
sexual violence in their lifetimes, eight of 10 experienced serious
physical or sexual violence during childhood; 75% suffered severe
physical violence by an intimate partner during adulthood; and 37%
were raped before their incarceration_ Ninety-three percent of women
convicted of killing an intimate partner were abused by an intimate
partner in the past.

Over the past 30 years, domestic violence has been increasingly
recognized as a national epidemic. Unfortunately, the significant
advances made by the anti-violence movement have stopped short of
reforming the unjust ways in which the criminal justice system
responds to and punishes domestic violence survivors who act to
protect themselves from an abuser's violence.

All too often, when a survivor defends herself and her children, our
criminal justice system responds with harsh punishment instead of with
compassion and assistance. Much of this punishment is a result of our
state's current sentencing structure which does not allow judges
discretion to fully consider the impact of domestic violence when
determining sentence lengths. This leads to long, unfair prison
sentences for many survivors.


The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act would address this problem
for both male and female survivors of domestic violence by: (1)
allowing judges to sentence survivors to alternative sentences of
imprisonment including determinate sentences and, in some cases,
community-based alternative-to-incarceration program and (2) providing
survivors currently in prison the opportunity to apply for
resentencing, granting much-deserved relief for incarcerated
individuals who rose no threat to public safety.

The Act contains protections to ensure appropriate use of this
discretion - a judge can only grant an alternative sentence to a
defendant if s/he finds that: (1) the defendant was, at the time of
the offense, a victim of domestic violence subjected to substantial
physical, sexual or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the
"same family or household" as the defendant as that term is defined in
subdivision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law;

(2) the abuse was a "significant contributing factor" to the
defendant's participation in the crime; and, (3) a sentence under
current law would be "unduly harsh."

The bill requires a judge to apply the same test when determining
resentencing eligibility for an incarcerated survivor who submits a
resentencing application to the court. In order to be considered for
eligibility, an incarcerated survivor is also required to include
evidence corroborating the claim she was, at the time of tile offense,
a victim of domestic violence.

The Act would address shortcomings in New York's current domestic
violence sentencing exception, enacted as part of the state's 1998
Sentencing Reform Act, commonly known as Jenna's Law. This exception
allows judges to give survivors indeterminate sentences, At the time,
state officials thought this exception would lead to less punitive
sentencing for survivors - unfortunately, it did not. In 2007, only
one person had been sentenced under this exception. He received 6 to
12 years longer than the minimum term allowed for individuals not
sentenced under this provision) and was denied parole twice. In 2009,
not a single person was incarcerated under the exception.

The New York State Sentencing Commission, established in 2007, noted
that this law should be replaced "with a comparable ameliorative
provision that would allow for the imposition of less harsh,
determinate sentences in such cases." The Domestic Violence Survivors
Justice Act would do just that.

Eligibility for alternative indeterminate sentences of imprisonment,
determinate sentences of imprisonment and alternatives to
incarceration for women survivors is particularly appropriate as they
most often have no prior criminal records, no history of violence and
extremely low recidivism rates: of the 36 women convicted of murder
and released between 1985 and 2003, not a single one returned to
prison for a new crime within a 26-month period of release - a 0%
recidivism rate.

Community-based alternative programs are far more effective than
prison in allowing survivors to rebuild relationships with their
families, recover from abuse, and take responsibility while positively


participating in their communities. Allowing mothers to live in the
community while serving sentences also permits them to maintain ties
to children and lessen the trauma of separation - thereby increasing
the likelihood that children will receive the support they need to
become healthy, productive adults. In addition, New York can save
substantial costs by sentencing DV survivors to lower sentences and
alternative programs. It costs approximately $43,000 per year to
incarcerate a person in a New York state prison, while the annual cost
per participant of an alternative to incarceration program in New York
City is only $11,000. Alternative programs save taxpayers tens of
thousands of dollars per person each year while helping to build
healthy and safe individuals and communities.

Domestic and international human rights standards uphold the right of
women - and all people - to live free from violence. Our government
has recognized its responsibility to preserve this right and provide
support for DV survivors. This responsibility does not end when a
survivor becomes involved in the criminal justice system because of
abuse she suffers - in part because the very lack of adequate
protection, intervention and support is what often leads to this
involvement in the first place. With no compromise to public safety,
the DV Survivors Justice Act will help New York address the years of
injustice faced by survivors whose lives have been shattered by
domestic abuse and decrease the likelihood of survivors being
victimized by the very system that should help protect them.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Given that this legislation may result in: (1) alternative sentences
and non-incarcerative sentences for at least some domestic violence
survivor-defendants and (2) resentencing and conditional release for
at least some currently incarcerated survivors, it is very likely that
this bill will save the state funds.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This legislation would take 120 days after enactment.

2013-S3337A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3337--A

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            February 1, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens. HASSELL-THOMPSON, ADAMS, ADDABBO, AVELLA, BRESLIN,
  CARLUCCI, DILAN, ESPAILLAT, GRISANTI, KENNEDY, KLEIN,  KRUEGER,  MONT-
  GOMERY,  PARKER,  PERALTA,  PERKINS, RIVERA, SAMPSON, SAVINO, SERRANO,
  STAVISKY, STEWART-COUSINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and  when
  printed  to  be  committed  to  the  Committee  on  Codes -- committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN ACT to amend the  penal  law  and  the  criminal  procedure  law,  in
  relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 60.12 of the penal law, as added by  chapter  1  of
the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
S 60.12 Authorized disposition; alternative [indeterminate] sentence [of
          imprisonment]; domestic violence cases.
  1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, where a court is impos-
ing  sentence  UPON  A  PERSON  pursuant to section 70.00, 70.02 [upon a
conviction for an offense enumerated in subdivision one of such section]
OR 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, other than FOR an offense  defined  in  [article
one  hundred thirty of this chapter] SECTION 125.26, 125.27, SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF SECTION 125.25, OR ARTICLE  490  OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  OR  FOR  AN
OFFENSE  WHICH  WOULD  REQUIRE SUCH PERSON TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 6-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW, AN ATTEMPT OR  CONSPIRACY
TO  COMMIT  ANY  SUCH  OFFENSE and is authorized or required pursuant to
[such section] SECTIONS 70.00, 70.02 OR 70.06 to impose a  [determinate]
sentence  of imprisonment [for such offense], the court, upon a determi-
nation following a hearing that (a) AT THE TIME OF THE INSTANT  OFFENSE,
the  defendant  was  [the]  A  victim  of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO
SUBSTANTIAL physical, sexual or psychological abuse [by  the  victim  or
intended  victim  of  such  offense,]  INFLICTED BY A MEMBER OF THE SAME
FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS THE DEFENDANT AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVI-

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06253-02-3

S. 3337--A                          2

SION ONE OF SECTION 530.11 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW; (b) such abuse
was a SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTING  factor  [in  causing  the  defendant  to
commit such offense and]  TO THE DEFENDANT'S CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR; (c) [the
victim or intended victim of such offense was a member of the same fami-
ly  or household as the defendant as such term is defined in subdivision
one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law,  may,  in  lieu  of
imposing such determinate sentence of imprisonment, impose an indetermi-
nate  sentence  of  imprisonment in accordance with subdivisions two and
three of this section.] HAVING REGARD TO THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF
THE CRIME AND TO THE HISTORY, CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF THE  DEFENDANT,
THAT  A  SENTENCE  OF  IMPRISONMENT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00, 70.02 OR
70.06 OF THIS TITLE WOULD BE UNDULY HARSH MAY INSTEAD IMPOSE A  SENTENCE
IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH SUBDIVISION TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX OR SEVEN OF
THIS SECTION.
  A COURT MAY  DETERMINE  THAT  SUCH  ABUSE  CONSTITUTES  A  SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTING  FACTOR  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  THIS SUBDIVISION
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DEFENDANT RAISED A DEFENSE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
THIRTY-FIVE, ARTICLE FORTY, OR SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 125.25 OF THIS
CHAPTER.
  AT THE HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFENDANT SHOULD BE  SENTENCED
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION,  THE  COURT SHALL CONSIDER ORAL AND WRITTEN
ARGUMENTS, TAKE TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES OFFERED BY  EITHER  PARTY,  AND
CONSIDER  RELEVANT EVIDENCE TO ASSIST IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION. RELI-
ABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  2. [The maximum term of an indeterminate sentence imposed pursuant  to
subdivision  one of this section must be fixed by the court as follows:]
WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  PURSUANT
TO SECTION 70.02 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A DEFINITE SENTENCE
OF IMPRISONMENT OF ONE YEAR OR LESS, OR PROBATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS  OF  SECTION 65.00 OF THIS TITLE, OR MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRI-
SONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (a) For a class B felony, the term must be at least  [six  years]  ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [twenty-five] FIVE years;
  (b) For a class C felony, the term must be at least [four and one-half
years] ONE YEAR and must not exceed [fifteen] THREE AND ONE-HALF years;
  (c)  For a class D felony, the term must be at least [three years] ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [seven] TWO years; and
  (d) For a class E felony, the term must be [at least three years]  ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [four] ONE AND ONE-HALF years.
  3. [The minimum period of imprisonment under an indeterminate sentence
imposed pursuant to subdivision one of this section must be fixed by the
court  at  one-half of the maximum term imposed and must be specified in
the sentence] WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE  BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A
SENTENCE  FOR A CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00 OF THIS
TITLE OR TO SUBDIVISION TWO OR THREE OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE
COURT MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND  NOT  TO
EXCEED FIFTEEN YEARS.
  4.  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD  OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS  TITLE,  THE  COURT
MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (A)  FOR  A  CLASS B FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST THREE YEARS AND
MUST NOT EXCEED EIGHT YEARS;
  (B) FOR A CLASS C FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO  AND  ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED FIVE YEARS;
  (C) FOR A CLASS D FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND MUST
NOT EXCEED THREE YEARS;

S. 3337--A                          3

  (D)  FOR  A CLASS E FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED TWO YEARS.
  5.  WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE FOR
A CLASS B, C, D OR E FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION  70.00  OF  THIS
TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  6.  EXCEPT  AS  PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF THIS SECTION, WHERE A
COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A  SENTENCE  PURSUANT  TO
SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A
SENTENCE  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF
SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  7. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A  SENTENCE
PURSUANT  TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, WHERE THE
PRIOR FELONY CONVICTION WAS FOR A  FELONY  OFFENSE  DEFINED  IN  SECTION
70.02  OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  S 2. Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of  subdivision  2  of
section  70.45  of the penal law, as amended by chapter 7 of the laws of
2007, are amended to read as follows:
  (a) such period shall be one year whenever a determinate  sentence  of
imprisonment  is imposed pursuant to subdivision two of section 70.70 of
this article OR SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE  upon  a
conviction of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (b)  such  period  shall  be  not less than one year nor more than two
years whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed  pursu-
ant  to  subdivision two of section 70.70 of this article OR SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a  class  B  or
class C felony offense;
  (c)  such  period  shall  be  not less than one year nor more than two
years whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed  pursu-
ant  to  subdivision  three  or four of section 70.70 of this article OR
SUBDIVISION SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon  conviction
of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (d) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than  three  years  whenever  a  determinate sentence of imprisonment is
imposed pursuant to subdivision three or four of section 70.70  of  this
article  OR SUBDIVISION SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon
conviction of a class B felony or class C felony offense;
  (e) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than three years whenever a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three of section 70.02 of this article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class D or class E violent felony offense;
  (f) such period shall be not less than two and one-half years nor more
than five years whenever  a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three of section 70.02 of this article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class B or class C violent felony offense.
  S 3. The criminal procedure law is amended by  adding  a  new  section
440.47 to read as follows:
S 440.47 MOTION FOR RESENTENCE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.
  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  CONTRARY  PROVISION  OF LAW, ANY PERSON
CONFINED IN AN INSTITUTION OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION  AND
COMMUNITY  SUPERVISION  SERVING A SENTENCE WITH A MINIMUM OR DETERMINATE
TERM OF EIGHT YEARS OR MORE FOR  AN  OFFENSE  COMMITTED  PRIOR  TO  SUCH
EFFECTIVE  DATE  AND  ELIGIBLE  FOR  AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE PURSUANT TO

S. 3337--A                          4

SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW MAY, ON OR AFTER THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF
THIS  SECTION,  SUBMIT  TO THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE WHO IMPOSED THE ORIGINAL
SENTENCE UPON SUCH PERSON A REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING IN ACCORD-
ANCE  WITH  SECTION  60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW. SUCH PERSON MUST INCLUDE IN
HIS OR HER REQUEST DOCUMENTATION PROVING THAT SHE OR HE IS  CONFINED  IN
AN  INSTITUTION  OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY
SUPERVISION SERVING A SENTENCE WITH A MINIMUM  OR  DETERMINATE  TERM  OF
EIGHT YEARS OR MORE FOR AN OFFENSE COMMITTED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF  THIS  SECTION  AND  THAT  SHE OR HE IS SERVING SUCH SENTENCE FOR ANY
OFFENSE ELIGIBLE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE UNDER SECTION 60.12 OF  THE
PENAL LAW.
  (B) IF, AT THE TIME OF SUCH PERSON'S REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING
PURSUANT  TO THIS SECTION, THE ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE IS A
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, BUT SUCH COURT IS
NOT THE COURT IN WHICH THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCE  WAS  IMPOSED,  THEN  THE
REQUEST  SHALL  BE  RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE
COURT IN WHICH THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCE  WAS  IMPOSED.  IF  THE  ORIGINAL
SENTENCING JUDGE IS NO LONGER A JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION,  THEN  THE  REQUEST  SHALL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE COURT.
  (C) IF THE COURT FINDS THAT SUCH PERSON HAS MET  THE  REQUIREMENTS  TO
APPLY  FOR  RESENTENCING  IN  PARAGRAPH  A  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE OF THIS
SECTION, THE COURT SHALL NOTIFY SUCH PERSON THAT HE OR SHE MAY SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING. UPON SUCH  NOTIFICATION,  THE  PERSON  MAY
REQUEST THAT THE COURT ASSIGN HIM OR HER AN ATTORNEY FOR THE PREPARATION
OF  AND PROCEEDINGS ON THE APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION.  THE  ATTORNEY  SHALL  BE  ASSIGNED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH   THE
PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN AND
SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE  COUNTY  LAW
AND THE RELATED PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW.
  (D)  IF  THE COURT FINDS THAT SUCH PERSON HAS NOT MET THE REQUIREMENTS
TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING IN PARAGRAPH A  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS
SECTION,  THE  COURT  SHALL  NOTIFY  SUCH  PERSON AND DISMISS HIS OR HER
REQUEST WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  2. (A) UPON THE COURT'S RECEIPT OF AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING,
THE  COURT  SHALL  PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND
PROVIDE SUCH DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH A COPY OF THE APPLICATION.
  (B) IF THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE THAT RECEIVED THE APPLICATION IS  NOT  THE
ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE, THE APPLICATION MAY BE REFERRED TO
THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCING  JUDGE OR JUSTICE PROVIDED THAT HE OR SHE IS A
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT  OF  COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  AND  THAT  THE
APPLICANT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AGREE THAT THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE
REFERRED.
  (C)  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING  PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST
INCLUDE AT LEAST TWO PIECES OF EVIDENCE  CORROBORATING  THE  APPLICANT'S
CLAIM THAT HE OR SHE WAS, AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE, A VICTIM OF DOMES-
TIC  VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL, SEXUAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL
ABUSE INFLICTED BY A MEMBER OF THE  SAME  FAMILY  OR  HOUSEHOLD  AS  THE
APPLICANT  AS  SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 530.11
OF THIS CHAPTER.
  AT LEAST ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE MUST BE EITHER A COURT RECORD, PRE-SEN-
TENCE REPORT, SOCIAL SERVICES RECORD, HOSPITAL RECORD,  SWORN  STATEMENT
FROM  A WITNESS TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORD, DOMES-
TIC INCIDENT REPORT,  OR  ORDER  OF  PROTECTION.    OTHER  EVIDENCE  MAY
INCLUDE,  BUT  SHALL  NOT  BE  LIMITED TO, LOCAL AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS RECORDS, A SHOWING BASED IN PART ON  DOCUMENTATION  PREPARED

S. 3337--A                          5

AT  OR NEAR THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE OR THE PROSECUTION
THEREOF TENDING TO SUPPORT THE PERSON'S CLAIM, OR WHEN THERE IS  VERIFI-
CATION  OF  CONSULTATION  WITH  A LICENSED MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER,  EMPLOYEE  OF  A  COURT  ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER
EMPLOYMENT, MEMBER OF THE  CLERGY,  ATTORNEY,  SOCIAL  WORKER,  OR  RAPE
CRISIS  COUNSELOR  AS  DEFINED  IN SECTION FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE
CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, OR OTHER ADVOCATE ACTING ON BEHALF  OF  AN
AGENCY  THAT  ASSISTS  VICTIMS  OF  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ASSISTING SUCH  PERSON  WITH  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  VICTIM  COUNSELING  OR
SUPPORT.
  (D)  IF  THE  COURT FINDS THAT THE APPLICANT HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT SHALL DISMISS
THE APPLICATION WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  (E) IF THE COURT FINDS  THAT  THE  APPLICANT  HAS  COMPLIED  WITH  THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT
A  HEARING  TO  AID IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THE APPLICANT
SHOULD BE RESENTENCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW.
AT SUCH HEARING THE COURT SHALL DETERMINE ANY CONTROVERTED ISSUE OF FACT
RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE OF SENTENCING. RELIABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE  ADMISSI-
BLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  THE COURT MAY CONSIDER ANY FACT OR CIRCUMSTANCES RELEVANT TO THE IMPO-
SITION  OF  A  NEW  SENTENCE WHICH ARE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT OR THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND  MAY,  IN  ADDITION,  CONSIDER  THE  INSTITUTIONAL
RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH PERSON, BUT SHALL NOT ORDER A NEW PRE-SEN-
TENCE  INVESTIGATION  AND REPORT OR ENTERTAIN ANY MATTER CHALLENGING THE
UNDERLYING BASIS OF THE SUBJECT CONVICTION. THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION OF
THE INSTITUTIONAL RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH APPLICANT SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SUCH APPLICANT'S PARTICIPATION IN OR  WILLINGNESS
TO  PARTICIPATE  IN PROGRAMMING SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PARENTING AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT WHILE INCARCERATED AND SUCH APPLICANT'S DISCI-
PLINARY HISTORY. THE FACT THAT THE APPLICANT MAY  HAVE  BEEN  UNABLE  TO
PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT OR OTHER PROGRAMMING WHILE INCARCERATED DESPITE
SUCH APPLICANT'S WILLINGNESS TO DO SO SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A NEGATIVE
FACTOR IN DETERMINING A MOTION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  (F)  IF  THE  COURT  DETERMINES THAT THE APPLICANT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
RESENTENCING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12  OF  THE  PENAL  LAW,  THE
COURT  SHALL  INFORM  SUCH  APPLICANT OF ITS DECISION AND SHALL ENTER AN
ORDER TO THAT EFFECT. ANY ORDER ISSUED  BY  A  COURT  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
SECTION  MUST  INCLUDE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND THE REASONS FOR SUCH
ORDER.
  (G) IF THE COURT DETERMINES THAT THE APPLICANT SHOULD  BE  RESENTENCED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, THE COURT SHALL NOTI-
FY  THE  APPLICANT  THAT,  UNLESS HE OR SHE WITHDRAWS THE APPLICATION OR
APPEALS FROM SUCH ORDER, THE COURT WILL  ENTER  AN  ORDER  VACATING  THE
SENTENCE  ORIGINALLY IMPOSED AND IMPOSING THE NEW SENTENCE TO BE IMPOSED
AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW. ANY ORDER ISSUED  BY  A
COURT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST INCLUDE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND
THE REASONS FOR SUCH ORDER.
  3.  AN  APPEAL  MAY BE TAKEN AS OF RIGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER: (A) FROM AN ORDER DENYING  RESENTENCING;  OR
(B) FROM A NEW SENTENCE IMPOSED UNDER THIS PROVISION AND MAY BE BASED ON
THE GROUNDS THAT (I) THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE;
OR (II) THAT THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS UNAUTHORIZED AS A MATTER OF
LAW.  AN  APPEAL  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS
CHAPTER MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AS OF RIGHT BY THE  APPLICANT  FROM  AN  ORDER
SPECIFYING  AND  INFORMING SUCH APPLICANT OF THE TERM OF THE DETERMINATE

S. 3337--A                          6

SENTENCE THE COURT WOULD IMPOSE UPON RESENTENCING ON THE GROUND THAT THE
TERM OF THE PROPOSED SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE; UPON REMAND TO  THE
SENTENCING  COURT  FOLLOWING SUCH APPEAL THE APPLICANT SHALL BE GIVEN AN
OPPORTUNITY  TO  WITHDRAW  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING BEFORE ANY
RESENTENCE IS IMPOSED. THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST THAT THE  COURT  ASSIGN
HIM  OR  HER  AN  ATTORNEY FOR THE PREPARATION OF AND PROCEEDINGS ON ANY
APPEALS REGARDING HIS OR HER APPLICATION FOR  RESENTENCING  PURSUANT  TO
THIS  SECTION.  THE  ATTORNEY  SHALL  BE ASSIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION  SEVEN  HUNDRED  SEVENTEEN  AND
SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW
AND THE RELATED PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW.
  4. IN CALCULATING THE NEW TERM TO BE SERVED BY THE APPLICANT  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, SUCH APPLICANT SHALL BE CREDITED FOR
ANY JAIL TIME CREDITED TOWARDS THE SUBJECT CONVICTION  AS  WELL  AS  ANY
PERIOD OF INCARCERATION CREDITED TOWARD THE SENTENCE ORIGINALLY IMPOSED.
  S 4. Subdivision 1 of section 450.90 of the criminal procedure law, as
amended  by section 10 of part AAA of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is
amended to read as follows:
  1. Provided that a certificate granting  leave  to  appeal  is  issued
pursuant  to section 460.20, an appeal may, except as provided in subdi-
vision two, be taken to the court of appeals by either the defendant  or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  pursuant to section 450.10, 450.15, or 450.20, or from
an order granting or denying a motion to set aside an order of an inter-
mediate appellate court on  the  ground  of  ineffective  assistance  or
wrongful deprivation of appellate counsel, or by either the defendant or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  from  an  order  entered pursuant to section 440.46 OR
SECTION 440.47 of this chapter. An order of  an  intermediate  appellate
court  is  adverse to the party who was the appellant in such court when
it affirms the judgment, sentence or order appealed from, and is adverse
to the party who was the respondent in such court when it  reverses  the
judgment,  sentence  or  order  appealed  from. An appellate court order
which modifies a judgment or order appealed from is partially adverse to
each party.
  S 5. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 390.50 of the  criminal
procedure  law,  as amended by section 5 of part OO of chapter 56 of the
laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
  (a) Not less than one court day prior to sentencing, unless such  time
requirement  is  waived by the parties, the pre-sentence report or memo-
randum shall be made available by the  court  for  examination  and  for
copying by the defendant's attorney, the defendant himself, if he has no
attorney,  and  the  prosecutor. In its discretion, the court may except
from disclosure a part or parts of the report or memoranda which are not
relevant to a proper sentence, or a diagnostic opinion which might seri-
ously disrupt a program of rehabilitation,  or  sources  of  information
which  have  been obtained on a promise of confidentiality, or any other
portion thereof, disclosure of which would not be  in  the  interest  of
justice.  In  all cases where a part or parts of the report or memoranda
are not disclosed, the court shall state for the record that a  part  or
parts  of the report or memoranda have been excepted and the reasons for
its action. The action of the court excepting information  from  disclo-
sure shall be subject to appellate review. The pre-sentence report shall
be made available by the court for examination and copying in connection

S. 3337--A                          7

with any appeal in the case, including an appeal under this subdivision.
Upon  written  request,  the  court shall make a copy of the presentence
report, other than a part or parts of the report redacted by  the  court
pursuant  to  this  paragraph, available to the defendant for use before
the parole board for release consideration or  an  appeal  of  a  parole
board  determination  OR  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO
SECTION 440.46 OR 440.47 OF THIS CHAPTER. In his or her written  request
to  the  court  the defendant shall affirm that he or she anticipates an
appearance before the parole board or intends to file an  administrative
appeal of a parole board determination OR MEETS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
FOR  AND INTENDS TO FILE A MOTION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO 440.46 OF
THIS CHAPTER OR HAS RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE COURT WHICH  RECEIVED
HIS  OR HER REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO SECTION 440.47
OF THIS CHAPTER CONFIRMING THAT HE OR  SHE  IS  ELIGIBLE  TO  SUBMIT  AN
APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO SECTION 440.47 OF THIS CHAPTER.
The court shall respond to the defendant's written request within twenty
days from receipt of the defendant's written request.
  S 6. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S3337B - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4314
Current Committee:: Senate Codes
Law Section:: Penal Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§60.12 & 70.45, Pen L; add §440.47, amd §§450.90 & 390.50, CP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S5436, A7874
2015-2016: S2036, A4409
2017-2018: S3340, S5116, A3110
2019-2020: S1077, A3974

2013-S3337B - Summary

Relates to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases.

2013-S3337B - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S3337B

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the penal law and the criminal
procedure law, in relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic
violence cases

PURPOSE:  To expand upon the existing provisions of alternative
sentencing for domestic violence cases; second, to allow judges the
opportunity to resentence currently incarcerated persons for offenses
in which certain domestic violence criteria was a significant element
of the offense.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:;

Section 1 of the bill amends § 60.12 of the penal law and adds new
subparagraphs 4 and 5 to specify which offenses may be considered
under the alternative indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for
domestic violence cases.

Section 2 of the bill amends §70.45 of the penal law to permit
determinate sentencing for persons sentenced pursuant to 0.12(5).

Section 3 of the bill adds a new § 440.47 to the criminal procedure
law to allow currently incarcerated persons to apply for resentencing
pursuant to 560.12 of the penal law.

Section 4 of the bill amends § 450.90 of the criminal procedure law to
grant leave for appeal.

Section 6 of the bill provides that these amendments would take effect
120 days after it shall have become law.

JUSTIFICATION:

Domestic violence and women's incarceration are inextricably linked:
nine of 10 incarcerated women have experienced severe physical or
sexual violence in their lifetimes, eight of 10 experienced serious
physical or sexual violence during childhood; 75% suffered severe
physical violence by an intimate partner during adulthood; and 37%
were raped before their incarceration_ Ninety-three percent of women
convicted of killing an intimate partner were abused by an intimate
partner in the past.

Over the past 30 years, domestic violence has been increasingly
recognized as a national epidemic. Unfortunately, the significant
advances made by the anti-violence movement have stopped short of
reforming the unjust ways in which the criminal justice system
responds to and punishes domestic violence survivors who act to
protect themselves from an abuser's violence.

All too often, when a survivor defends herself and her children, our
criminal justice system responds with harsh punishment instead of with
compassion and assistance. Much of this punishment is a result of our
state's current sentencing structure which does not allow judges
discretion to fully consider the impact of domestic violence when
determining sentence lengths. This leads to long, unfair prison
sentences for many survivors.


The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act would address this problem
for both male and female survivors of domestic violence by: (1)
allowing judges to sentence survivors to alternative sentences of
imprisonment including determinate sentences and, in some cases,
community-based alternative-to-incarceration program and (2) providing
survivors currently in prison the opportunity to apply for
resentencing, granting much-deserved relief for incarcerated
individuals who rose no threat to public safety.

The Act contains protections to ensure appropriate use of this
discretion - a judge can only grant an alternative sentence to a
defendant if s/he finds that: (1) the defendant was, at the time of
the offense, a victim of domestic violence subjected to substantial
physical, sexual or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the
"same family or household" as the defendant as that term is defined in
subdivision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law;

(2) the abuse was a "significant contributing factor" to the
defendant's participation in the crime; and, (3) a sentence under
current law would be "unduly harsh."

The bill requires a judge to apply the same test when determining
resentencing eligibility for an incarcerated survivor who submits a
resentencing application to the court. In order to be considered for
eligibility, an incarcerated survivor is also required to include
evidence corroborating the claim she was, at the time of tile offense,
a victim of domestic violence.

The Act would address shortcomings in New York's current domestic
violence sentencing exception, enacted as part of the state's 1998
Sentencing Reform Act, commonly known as Jenna's Law. This exception
allows judges to give survivors indeterminate sentences, At the time,
state officials thought this exception would lead to less punitive
sentencing for survivors - unfortunately, it did not. In 2007, only
one person had been sentenced under this exception. He received 6 to
12 years longer than the minimum term allowed for individuals not
sentenced under this provision) and was denied parole twice. In 2009,
not a single person was incarcerated under the exception.

The New York State Sentencing Commission, established in 2007, noted
that this law should be replaced "with a comparable ameliorative
provision that would allow for the imposition of less harsh,
determinate sentences in such cases." The Domestic Violence Survivors
Justice Act would do just that.

Eligibility for alternative indeterminate sentences of imprisonment,
determinate sentences of imprisonment and alternatives to
incarceration for women survivors is particularly appropriate as they
most often have no prior criminal records, no history of violence and
extremely low recidivism rates: of the 36 women convicted of murder
and released between 1985 and 2003, not a single one returned to
prison for a new crime within a 26-month period of release - a 0%
recidivism rate.

Community-based alternative programs are far more effective than
prison in allowing survivors to rebuild relationships with their
families, recover from abuse, and take responsibility while positively


participating in their communities. Allowing mothers to live in the
community while serving sentences also permits them to maintain ties
to children and lessen the trauma of separation - thereby increasing
the likelihood that children will receive the support they need to
become healthy, productive adults. In addition, New York can save
substantial costs by sentencing DV survivors to lower sentences and
alternative programs. It costs approximately $43,000 per year to
incarcerate a person in a New York state prison, while the annual cost
per participant of an alternative to incarceration program in New York
City is only $11,000. Alternative programs save taxpayers tens of
thousands of dollars per person each year while helping to build
healthy and safe individuals and communities.

Domestic and international human rights standards uphold the right of
women - and all people - to live free from violence. Our government
has recognized its responsibility to preserve this right and provide
support for DV survivors. This responsibility does not end when a
survivor becomes involved in the criminal justice system because of
abuse she suffers - in part because the very lack of adequate
protection, intervention and support is what often leads to this
involvement in the first place. With no compromise to public safety,
the DV Survivors Justice Act will help New York address the years of
injustice faced by survivors whose lives have been shattered by
domestic abuse and decrease the likelihood of survivors being
victimized by the very system that should help protect them.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Given that this legislation may result in: (1) alternative sentences
and non-incarcerative sentences for at least some domestic violence
survivor-defendants and (2) resentencing and conditional release for
at least some currently incarcerated survivors, it is very likely that
this bill will save the state funds.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This legislation would take 120 days after enactment.

2013-S3337B - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3337--B

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            February 1, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  HASSELL-THOMPSON,  BALL,  ADAMS, ADDABBO, AVELLA,
  BRESLIN,  CARLUCCI,  DILAN,  ESPAILLAT,  GRISANTI,  HOYLMAN,  KENNEDY,
  KLEIN, KRUEGER, LATIMER, MONTGOMERY, PARKER, PERALTA, PERKINS, RIVERA,
  SAMPSON,  SAVINO,  SERRANO, SMITH, SQUADRON, STAVISKY, STEWART-COUSINS
  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to
  the Committee on Codes -- committee discharged, bill amended,  ordered
  reprinted  as  amended  and recommitted to said committee -- committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN ACT to amend the  penal  law  and  the  criminal  procedure  law,  in
  relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Section 60.12 of the penal law, as added by  chapter  1  of
the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
S 60.12 Authorized disposition; alternative [indeterminate] sentence [of
          imprisonment]; domestic violence cases.
  1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, where a court is impos-
ing  sentence  UPON  A  PERSON  pursuant to section 70.00, 70.02 [upon a
conviction for an offense enumerated in subdivision one of such section]
OR 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, other than FOR an offense  defined  in  [article
one  hundred thirty of this chapter] SECTION 125.26, 125.27, SUBDIVISION
FIVE OF SECTION 125.25, OR ARTICLE  490  OF  THIS  CHAPTER,  OR  FOR  AN
OFFENSE  WHICH  WOULD  REQUIRE SUCH PERSON TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 6-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW, AN ATTEMPT OR  CONSPIRACY
TO  COMMIT  ANY  SUCH  OFFENSE and is authorized or required pursuant to
[such section] SECTIONS 70.00, 70.02 OR 70.06 to impose a  [determinate]
sentence  of imprisonment [for such offense], the court, upon a determi-
nation following a hearing that (a) AT THE TIME OF THE INSTANT  OFFENSE,
the  defendant  was  [the]  A  victim  of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO
SUBSTANTIAL physical, sexual or psychological abuse [by  the  victim  or

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06253-04-3

S. 3337--B                          2

intended  victim  of  such  offense,]  INFLICTED BY A MEMBER OF THE SAME
FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS THE DEFENDANT AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVI-
SION ONE OF SECTION 530.11 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW; (b) such abuse
was  a  SIGNIFICANT  CONTRIBUTING  factor  [in  causing the defendant to
commit such offense and]  TO THE DEFENDANT'S CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR; (c) [the
victim or intended victim of such offense was a member of the same fami-
ly or household as the defendant as such term is defined in  subdivision
one  of  section  530.11  of the criminal procedure law, may, in lieu of
imposing such determinate sentence of imprisonment, impose an indetermi-
nate sentence of imprisonment in accordance with  subdivisions  two  and
three of this section.] HAVING REGARD TO THE NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF
THE  CRIME AND TO THE HISTORY, CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF THE DEFENDANT,
THAT A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  70.00,  70.02  OR
70.06  OF THIS TITLE WOULD BE UNDULY HARSH MAY INSTEAD IMPOSE A SENTENCE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX OR  SEVEN  OF
THIS SECTION.
  A  COURT  MAY  DETERMINE  THAT  SUCH  ABUSE  CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTING FACTOR  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DEFENDANT RAISED A DEFENSE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
THIRTY-FIVE, ARTICLE FORTY, OR SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 125.25 OF THIS
CHAPTER.
  AT  THE HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFENDANT SHOULD BE SENTENCED
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE COURT  SHALL  CONSIDER  ORAL  AND  WRITTEN
ARGUMENTS,  TAKE  TESTIMONY  FROM WITNESSES OFFERED BY EITHER PARTY, AND
CONSIDER RELEVANT EVIDENCE TO ASSIST IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION.  RELI-
ABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  2.  [The maximum term of an indeterminate sentence imposed pursuant to
subdivision one of this section must be fixed by the court as  follows:]
WHERE  A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE PURSUANT
TO SECTION 70.02 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A DEFINITE SENTENCE
OF IMPRISONMENT OF ONE YEAR OR LESS, OR PROBATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 65.00 OF THIS TITLE, OR MAY FIX A TERM  OF  IMPRI-
SONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (a)  For  a  class B felony, the term must be at least [six years] ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [twenty-five] FIVE years;
  (b) For a class C felony, the term must be at least [four and one-half
years] ONE YEAR and must not exceed [fifteen] THREE AND ONE-HALF years;
  (c) For a class D felony, the term must be at least [three years]  ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [seven] TWO years; and
  (d)  For a class E felony, the term must be [at least three years] ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [four] ONE AND ONE-HALF years.
  3. [The minimum period of imprisonment under an indeterminate sentence
imposed pursuant to subdivision one of this section must be fixed by the
court at one-half of the maximum term imposed and must be  specified  in
the  sentence]  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A
SENTENCE FOR A CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00 OF  THIS
TITLE OR TO SUBDIVISION TWO OR THREE OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE
COURT  MAY  FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND NOT TO
EXCEED FIFTEEN YEARS.
  4. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE  A  SENTENCE
PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION  SIX OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT
MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (A) FOR A CLASS B FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST  THREE  YEARS  AND
MUST NOT EXCEED EIGHT YEARS;
  (B)  FOR  A CLASS C FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO AND ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED FIVE YEARS;

S. 3337--B                          3

  (C) FOR A CLASS D FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND MUST
NOT EXCEED THREE YEARS;
  (D)  FOR  A CLASS E FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED TWO YEARS.
  5. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  FOR
A  CLASS  B,  C, D OR E FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00 OF THIS
TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  6. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF THIS  SECTION,  WHERE  A
COURT  WOULD  OTHERWISE  BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE A SENTENCE PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A
SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF
SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  7.  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD  OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, WHERE  THE
PRIOR  FELONY  CONVICTION  WAS  FOR  A FELONY OFFENSE DEFINED IN SECTION
70.02 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE  WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  S  2.  Paragraphs  (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of subdivision 2 of
section 70.45 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 7 of the  laws  of
2007, are amended to read as follows:
  (a)  such  period shall be one year whenever a determinate sentence of
imprisonment is imposed pursuant to subdivision two of section 70.70  of
this  article  OR SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a
conviction of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (b) such period shall be not less than one  year  nor  more  than  two
years  whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed pursu-
ant to subdivision two of section 70.70 of this article  OR  SUBDIVISION
FIVE  OF  SECTION  60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a class B or
class C felony offense;
  (c) such period shall be not less than one  year  nor  more  than  two
years  whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed pursu-
ant to subdivision three or four of section 70.70  of  this  article  OR
SUBDIVISION  SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon conviction
of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (d) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than three years whenever a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three or four of section 70.70 of this
article OR SUBDIVISION SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE  upon
conviction of a class B felony or class C felony offense;
  (e) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than  three  years  whenever  a  determinate sentence of imprisonment is
imposed pursuant to subdivision three of section 70.02 of  this  article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class D or class E violent felony offense;
  (f) such period shall be not less than two and one-half years nor more
than  five  years  whenever  a  determinate  sentence of imprisonment is
imposed pursuant to subdivision three of section 70.02 of  this  article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class B or class C violent felony offense.
  S  3.  The  criminal  procedure law is amended by adding a new section
440.47 to read as follows:
S 440.47 MOTION FOR RESENTENCE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.
  1. (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY  CONTRARY  PROVISION  OF  LAW,  ANY  PERSON
CONFINED  IN AN INSTITUTION OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION AND
COMMUNITY SUPERVISION SERVING A SENTENCE WITH A MINIMUM  OR  DETERMINATE

S. 3337--B                          4

TERM  OF  EIGHT  YEARS  OR  MORE  FOR AN OFFENSE COMMITTED PRIOR TO SUCH
EFFECTIVE DATE AND ELIGIBLE FOR  AN  ALTERNATIVE  SENTENCE  PURSUANT  TO
SECTION  60.12  OF  THE PENAL LAW MAY, ON OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF
THIS  SECTION,  SUBMIT  TO THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE WHO IMPOSED THE ORIGINAL
SENTENCE UPON SUCH PERSON A REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW. SUCH PERSON  MUST  INCLUDE  IN
HIS  OR  HER REQUEST DOCUMENTATION PROVING THAT SHE OR HE IS CONFINED IN
AN INSTITUTION OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS  AND  COMMUNITY
SUPERVISION  SERVING  A  SENTENCE  WITH A MINIMUM OR DETERMINATE TERM OF
EIGHT YEARS OR MORE FOR AN OFFENSE COMMITTED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF THIS SECTION AND THAT SHE OR HE IS  SERVING  SUCH  SENTENCE  FOR  ANY
OFFENSE  ELIGIBLE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE UNDER SECTION 60.12 OF THE
PENAL LAW.
  (B) IF, AT THE TIME OF SUCH PERSON'S REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING
PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE IS  A
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, BUT SUCH COURT IS
NOT  THE  COURT  IN  WHICH  THE  ORIGINAL SENTENCE WAS IMPOSED, THEN THE
REQUEST SHALL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER JUDGE OR  JUSTICE  OF  THE
COURT  IN  WHICH  THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCE  WAS  IMPOSED. IF THE ORIGINAL
SENTENCING JUDGE IS NO LONGER A JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION, THEN THE REQUEST SHALL BE  RANDOMLY  ASSIGNED  TO  ANOTHER
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE COURT.
  (C)  IF  THE  COURT FINDS THAT SUCH PERSON HAS MET THE REQUIREMENTS TO
APPLY FOR RESENTENCING  IN  PARAGRAPH  A  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS
SECTION, THE COURT SHALL NOTIFY SUCH PERSON THAT HE OR SHE MAY SUBMIT AN
APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING.  UPON  SUCH NOTIFICATION, THE PERSON MAY
REQUEST THAT THE COURT ASSIGN HIM OR HER AN ATTORNEY FOR THE PREPARATION
OF AND PROCEEDINGS ON THE APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO  THIS
SECTION.   THE  ATTORNEY  SHALL  BE  ASSIGNED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE
PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION  SEVEN  HUNDRED  SEVENTEEN  AND
SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW
AND THE RELATED PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW.
  (D) IF THE COURT FINDS THAT SUCH PERSON HAS NOT MET  THE  REQUIREMENTS
TO  APPLY  FOR  RESENTENCING  IN  PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION, THE COURT SHALL NOTIFY SUCH  PERSON  AND  DISMISS  HIS  OR  HER
REQUEST WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  2.  (A)  UPON  THE COURT'S RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING,
THE COURT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  AND
PROVIDE SUCH DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH A COPY OF THE APPLICATION.
  (B)  IF  THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE THAT RECEIVED THE APPLICATION IS NOT THE
ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE, THE APPLICATION MAY BE REFERRED TO
THE ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE PROVIDED THAT HE OR  SHE  IS  A
JUDGE  OR  JUSTICE  OF  A  COURT  OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AND THAT THE
APPLICANT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AGREE THAT THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE
REFERRED.
  (C) AN APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  MUST
INCLUDE  AT  LEAST  TWO PIECES OF EVIDENCE CORROBORATING THE APPLICANT'S
CLAIM THAT HE OR SHE WAS, AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE, A VICTIM OF DOMES-
TIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL, SEXUAL OR  PSYCHOLOGICAL
ABUSE  INFLICTED  BY  A  MEMBER  OF  THE SAME FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS THE
APPLICANT AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF  SECTION  530.11
OF THIS CHAPTER.
  AT LEAST ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE MUST BE EITHER A COURT RECORD, PRE-SEN-
TENCE  REPORT,  SOCIAL SERVICES RECORD, HOSPITAL RECORD, SWORN STATEMENT
FROM A WITNESS TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORD,  DOMES-
TIC  INCIDENT  REPORT,  OR  ORDER  OF  PROTECTION.    OTHER EVIDENCE MAY

S. 3337--B                          5

INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO,  LOCAL  AND  STATE  DEPARTMENT  OF
CORRECTIONS  RECORDS,  A SHOWING BASED IN PART ON DOCUMENTATION PREPARED
AT OR NEAR THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE OR THE  PROSECUTION
THEREOF  TENDING TO SUPPORT THE PERSON'S CLAIM, OR WHEN THERE IS VERIFI-
CATION OF CONSULTATION WITH A LICENSED MEDICAL  OR  MENTAL  HEALTH  CARE
PROVIDER,  EMPLOYEE  OF  A  COURT  ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER
EMPLOYMENT, MEMBER OF THE  CLERGY,  ATTORNEY,  SOCIAL  WORKER,  OR  RAPE
CRISIS  COUNSELOR  AS  DEFINED  IN SECTION FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE
CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, OR OTHER ADVOCATE ACTING ON BEHALF  OF  AN
AGENCY  THAT  ASSISTS  VICTIMS  OF  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ASSISTING SUCH  PERSON  WITH  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  VICTIM  COUNSELING  OR
SUPPORT.
  (D)  IF  THE  COURT FINDS THAT THE APPLICANT HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT SHALL DISMISS
THE APPLICATION WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  (E) IF THE COURT FINDS  THAT  THE  APPLICANT  HAS  COMPLIED  WITH  THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT
A  HEARING  TO  AID IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THE APPLICANT
SHOULD BE RESENTENCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW.
AT SUCH HEARING THE COURT SHALL DETERMINE ANY CONTROVERTED ISSUE OF FACT
RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE OF SENTENCING. RELIABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE  ADMISSI-
BLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  THE COURT MAY CONSIDER ANY FACT OR CIRCUMSTANCES RELEVANT TO THE IMPO-
SITION  OF  A  NEW  SENTENCE WHICH ARE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT OR THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND  MAY,  IN  ADDITION,  CONSIDER  THE  INSTITUTIONAL
RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH PERSON, BUT SHALL NOT ORDER A NEW PRE-SEN-
TENCE  INVESTIGATION  AND REPORT OR ENTERTAIN ANY MATTER CHALLENGING THE
UNDERLYING BASIS OF THE SUBJECT CONVICTION. THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION OF
THE INSTITUTIONAL RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH APPLICANT SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SUCH APPLICANT'S PARTICIPATION IN OR  WILLINGNESS
TO  PARTICIPATE  IN PROGRAMMING SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PARENTING AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT WHILE INCARCERATED AND SUCH APPLICANT'S DISCI-
PLINARY HISTORY. THE FACT THAT THE APPLICANT MAY  HAVE  BEEN  UNABLE  TO
PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT OR OTHER PROGRAMMING WHILE INCARCERATED DESPITE
SUCH APPLICANT'S WILLINGNESS TO DO SO SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A NEGATIVE
FACTOR IN DETERMINING A MOTION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  (F)  IF  THE  COURT  DETERMINES THAT THE APPLICANT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
RESENTENCING IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12  OF  THE  PENAL  LAW,  THE
COURT  SHALL  INFORM  SUCH  APPLICANT OF ITS DECISION AND SHALL ENTER AN
ORDER TO THAT EFFECT. ANY ORDER ISSUED  BY  A  COURT  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
SECTION  MUST  INCLUDE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND THE REASONS FOR SUCH
ORDER.
  (G) IF THE COURT DETERMINES THAT THE APPLICANT SHOULD  BE  RESENTENCED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, THE COURT SHALL NOTI-
FY  THE  APPLICANT  THAT,  UNLESS HE OR SHE WITHDRAWS THE APPLICATION OR
APPEALS FROM SUCH ORDER, THE COURT WILL  ENTER  AN  ORDER  VACATING  THE
SENTENCE  ORIGINALLY IMPOSED AND IMPOSING THE NEW SENTENCE TO BE IMPOSED
AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW. ANY ORDER ISSUED  BY  A
COURT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST INCLUDE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND
THE REASONS FOR SUCH ORDER.
  3.  AN  APPEAL  MAY BE TAKEN AS OF RIGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER: (A) FROM AN ORDER DENYING  RESENTENCING;  OR
(B) FROM A NEW SENTENCE IMPOSED UNDER THIS PROVISION AND MAY BE BASED ON
THE GROUNDS THAT (I) THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE;
OR (II) THAT THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS UNAUTHORIZED AS A MATTER OF
LAW.  AN  APPEAL  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS

S. 3337--B                          6

CHAPTER MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AS OF RIGHT BY THE  APPLICANT  FROM  AN  ORDER
SPECIFYING  AND  INFORMING SUCH APPLICANT OF THE TERM OF THE DETERMINATE
SENTENCE THE COURT WOULD IMPOSE UPON RESENTENCING ON THE GROUND THAT THE
TERM  OF THE PROPOSED SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE; UPON REMAND TO THE
SENTENCING COURT FOLLOWING SUCH APPEAL THE APPLICANT SHALL BE  GIVEN  AN
OPPORTUNITY  TO  WITHDRAW  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING BEFORE ANY
RESENTENCE IS IMPOSED. THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST THAT THE  COURT  ASSIGN
HIM  OR  HER  AN  ATTORNEY FOR THE PREPARATION OF AND PROCEEDINGS ON ANY
APPEALS REGARDING HIS OR HER APPLICATION FOR  RESENTENCING  PURSUANT  TO
THIS  SECTION.  THE  ATTORNEY  SHALL  BE ASSIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION  SEVEN  HUNDRED  SEVENTEEN  AND
SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW
AND THE RELATED PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW.
  4. IN CALCULATING THE NEW TERM TO BE SERVED BY THE APPLICANT  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, SUCH APPLICANT SHALL BE CREDITED FOR
ANY JAIL TIME CREDITED TOWARDS THE SUBJECT CONVICTION  AS  WELL  AS  ANY
PERIOD OF INCARCERATION CREDITED TOWARD THE SENTENCE ORIGINALLY IMPOSED.
  S 4. Subdivision 1 of section 450.90 of the criminal procedure law, as
amended  by section 10 of part AAA of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is
amended to read as follows:
  1. Provided that a certificate granting  leave  to  appeal  is  issued
pursuant  to section 460.20, an appeal may, except as provided in subdi-
vision two, be taken to the court of appeals by either the defendant  or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  pursuant to section 450.10, 450.15, or 450.20, or from
an order granting or denying a motion to set aside an order of an inter-
mediate appellate court on  the  ground  of  ineffective  assistance  or
wrongful deprivation of appellate counsel, or by either the defendant or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  from  an  order  entered pursuant to section 440.46 OR
SECTION 440.47 of this chapter. An order of  an  intermediate  appellate
court  is  adverse to the party who was the appellant in such court when
it affirms the judgment, sentence or order appealed from, and is adverse
to the party who was the respondent in such court when it  reverses  the
judgment,  sentence  or  order  appealed  from. An appellate court order
which modifies a judgment or order appealed from is partially adverse to
each party.
  S 5. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 390.50 of the  criminal
procedure  law,  as amended by section 5 of part OO of chapter 56 of the
laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
  (a) Not less than one court day prior to sentencing, unless such  time
requirement  is  waived by the parties, the pre-sentence report or memo-
randum shall be made available by the  court  for  examination  and  for
copying by the defendant's attorney, the defendant himself, if he has no
attorney,  and  the  prosecutor. In its discretion, the court may except
from disclosure a part or parts of the report or memoranda which are not
relevant to a proper sentence, or a diagnostic opinion which might seri-
ously disrupt a program of rehabilitation,  or  sources  of  information
which  have  been obtained on a promise of confidentiality, or any other
portion thereof, disclosure of which would not be  in  the  interest  of
justice.  In  all cases where a part or parts of the report or memoranda
are not disclosed, the court shall state for the record that a  part  or
parts  of the report or memoranda have been excepted and the reasons for
its action. The action of the court excepting information  from  disclo-

S. 3337--B                          7

sure shall be subject to appellate review. The pre-sentence report shall
be made available by the court for examination and copying in connection
with any appeal in the case, including an appeal under this subdivision.
Upon  written  request,  the  court shall make a copy of the presentence
report, other than a part or parts of the report redacted by  the  court
pursuant  to  this  paragraph, available to the defendant for use before
the parole board for release consideration or  an  appeal  of  a  parole
board  determination  OR  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO
SECTION 440.46 OR 440.47 OF THIS CHAPTER. In his or her written  request
to  the  court  the defendant shall affirm that he or she anticipates an
appearance before the parole board or intends to file an  administrative
appeal of a parole board determination OR MEETS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
FOR  AND INTENDS TO FILE A MOTION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO 440.46 OF
THIS CHAPTER OR HAS RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE COURT WHICH  RECEIVED
HIS  OR HER REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO SECTION 440.47
OF THIS CHAPTER CONFIRMING THAT HE OR  SHE  IS  ELIGIBLE  TO  SUBMIT  AN
APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO SECTION 440.47 OF THIS CHAPTER.
The court shall respond to the defendant's written request within twenty
days from receipt of the defendant's written request.
  S 6. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.

co-Sponsors

View additional co-sponsors

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A4314
Current Committee:: Senate Codes
Law Section:: Penal Law
Laws Affected:: Amd §§60.12 & 70.45, Pen L; add §440.47, amd §§450.90 & 390.50, CP L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2011-2012: S5436, A7874
2015-2016: S2036, A4409
2017-2018: S3340, S5116, A3110
2019-2020: S1077, A3974

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Summary

Relates to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases.

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                BILL NUMBER:S3337C

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the penal law and the criminal
procedure law, in relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic
violence cases

PURPOSE:  To expand upon the existing provisions of alternative
sentencing for domestic violence cases; second, to allow judges the
opportunity to resentence currently incarcerated persons for offenses
in which certain domestic violence criteria was a significant element
of the offense.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends § 60.12 of the penal law and adds new
subparagraphs 4 and 5 to specify which offenses may be considered
under the alternative indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for
domestic violence cases.

Section 2 of the bill amends §70.45 of the penal law to permit
determinate sentencing for persons sentenced pursuant to 0.12(5).

Section 3 of the bill adds a new § 440.47 to the criminal procedure
law to allow currently incarcerated persons to apply for resentencing
pursuant to 560.12 of the penal law.

Section 4 of the bill amends § 450.90 of the criminal procedure law to
grant leave for appeal.

Section 6 of the bill provides that these amendments would take effect
immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

Domestic violence and women's incarceration are inextricably linked:
nine of 10 incarcerated women have experienced severe physical or
sexual violence in their lifetimes, eight of 10 experienced serious
physical or sexual violence during childhood; 75% suffered severe
physical violence by an intimate partner during adulthood; and 37%
were raped before their incarceration.  Ninety-three percent of women
convicted of killing an intimate partner were abused by an intimate
partner in the past.

Over the past 30 years, domestic violence has been increasingly
recognized as a national epidemic. Unfortunately, the significant
advances made by the anti-violence movement have stopped short of
reforming the unjust ways in which the criminal justice system
responds to and punishes domestic violence survivors who act to
protect themselves from an abuser's violence.

All too often, when a survivor defends herself and her children, our
criminal justice system responds with harsh punishment instead of with
compassion and assistance. Much of this punishment is a result of our
state's current sentencing structure which does not allow judges
discretion to fully consider the impact of domestic violence when
determining sentence lengths. This leads to long, unfair prison
sentences for many survivors.


The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act would address this problem
for both male and female survivors of domestic violence by: (1)
allowing judges to sentence survivors to alternative sentences of
imprisonment including determinate sentences and, in some cases,
community-based alternative-to-incarceration program and (2) providing
survivors currently in prison the opportunity to apply for
resentencing, granting much-deserved relief for incarcerated
individuals who rose no threat to public safety.

The Act contains protections to ensure appropriate use of this
discretion - a judge can only grant an alternative sentence to a
defendant if s/he finds that: (1) the defendant was, at the time of
the offense, a victim of domestic violence subjected to substantial
physical, sexual or psychological abuse inflicted by a member of the
"same family or household" as the defendant as that term is defined in
subdivision one of section 530.11 of the criminal procedure law;

(2) the abuse was a "significant contributing factor" to the
defendant's participation in the crime; and, (3) a sentence under
current law would be "unduly harsh."

The bill requires a judge to apply the same test when determining
resentencing eligibility for an incarcerated survivor who submits a
resentencing application to the court. In order to be considered for
eligibility, an incarcerated survivor is also required to include
evidence corroborating the claim she was, at the time of tile offense,
a victim of domestic violence.

The Act would address shortcomings in New York's current domestic
violence sentencing exception, enacted as part of the state's 1998
Sentencing Reform Act, commonly known as Jenna's Law. This exception
allows judges to give survivors indeterminate sentences, At the time,
state officials thought this exception would lead to less punitive
sentencing for survivors - unfortunately, it did not. In 2007, only
one person had been sentenced under this exception. He received 6 to
12 years longer than the minimum term allowed for individuals not
sentenced under this provision) and was denied parole twice. In 2009,
not a single person was incarcerated under the exception.

The New York State Sentencing Commission, established in 2007, noted
that this law should be replaced "with a comparable ameliorative
provision that would allow for the imposition of less harsh,
determinate sentences in such cases." The Domestic Violence Survivors
Justice Act would do just that.

Eligibility for alternative indeterminate sentences of imprisonment,
determinate sentences of imprisonment and alternatives to
incarceration for women survivors is particularly appropriate as they
most often have no prior criminal records, no history of violence and
extremely low recidivism rates: of the 36 women convicted of murder
and released between 1985 and 2003, not a single one returned to
prison for a new crime within a 26-month period of release - a 0%
recidivism rate.

Community-based alternative programs are far more effective than
prison in allowing survivors to rebuild relationships with their
families, recover from abuse, and take responsibility while positively


participating in their communities. Allowing mothers to live in the
community while serving sentences also permits them to maintain ties
to children and lessen the trauma of separation - thereby increasing
the likelihood that children will receive the support they need to
become healthy, productive adults. In addition, New York can save
substantial costs by sentencing DV survivors to lower sentences and
alternative programs. It costs approximately $43,000 per year to
incarcerate a person in a New York state prison, while the annual cost
per participant of an alternative to incarceration program in New York
City is only $11,000. Alternative programs save taxpayers tens of
thousands of dollars per person each year while helping to build
healthy and safe individuals and communities.

Domestic and international human rights standards uphold the right of
women - and all people - to live free from violence. Our government
has recognized its responsibility to preserve this right and provide
support for DV survivors. This responsibility does not end when a
survivor becomes involved in the criminal justice system because of
abuse she suffers - in part because the very lack of adequate
protection, intervention and support is what often leads to this
involvement in the first place. With no compromise to public safety,
the DV Survivors Justice Act will help New York address the years of
injustice faced by survivors whose lives have been shattered by
domestic abuse and decrease the likelihood of survivors being
victimized by the very system that should help protect them.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Given that this legislation may result in: (1) alternative sentences
and non-incarcerative sentences for at least some domestic violence
survivor-defendants and (2) resentencing and conditional release for
at least some currently incarcerated survivors, it is very likely that
this bill will save the state funds.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This legislation would take immediately.

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 3337--C

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                            February 1, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens.  HASSELL-THOMPSON, BALL, ADDABBO, AVELLA, BRESLIN,
  CARLUCCI, DIAZ, DILAN, ESPAILLAT, GIANARIS, GIPSON, GRISANTI, HOYLMAN,
  KENNEDY,  KLEIN,  KRUEGER,  LATIMER,  MONTGOMERY,   PARKER,   PERALTA,
  PERKINS,  RIVERA,  SAMPSON, SANDERS, SAVINO, SERRANO, SMITH, SQUADRON,
  STAVISKY, STEWART-COUSINS, TKACZYK -- read twice and ordered  printed,
  and  when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes -- commit-
  tee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and  recom-
  mitted  to  said  committee  --  committee  discharged,  bill amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and  recommitted  to  said  committee  --
  recommitted  to  the Committee on Codes in accordance with Senate Rule
  6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted  as
  amended and recommitted to said committee

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  penal  law  and  the criminal procedure law, in
  relation to sentencing and resentencing in domestic violence cases

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Section  60.12 of the penal law, as added by chapter 1 of
the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
S 60.12 Authorized disposition; alternative [indeterminate] sentence [of
          imprisonment]; domestic violence cases.
  1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, where a court is impos-
ing sentence UPON A PERSON pursuant to  section  70.00,  70.02  [upon  a
conviction  for  an  offense  enumerated  in  subdivision  one  of  such
section], 70.06 OR SUBDIVISION TWO OR THREE OF  SECTION  70.71  OF  THIS
TITLE,  other than FOR an offense defined in [article one hundred thirty
of this chapter] SECTION 125.26, 125.27,  SUBDIVISION  FIVE  OF  SECTION
125.25,  OR  ARTICLE  490 OF THIS CHAPTER, OR FOR AN OFFENSE WHICH WOULD
REQUIRE SUCH PERSON TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE
SIX-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW, AN ATTEMPT OR CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ANY SUCH
OFFENSE,  and  is  authorized  or  required  pursuant  to [such section]
SECTIONS 70.00, 70.02, 70.06 OR SUBDIVISION  TWO  OR  THREE  OF  SECTION

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06253-07-4

S. 3337--C                          2

70.71  OF  THIS TITLE to impose a [determinate] sentence of imprisonment
[for such offense], the court, upon a determination following a  hearing
that  (a)  AT THE TIME OF THE INSTANT OFFENSE, the defendant was [the] A
victim of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO SUBSTANTIAL physical, sexual or
psychological  abuse [by the victim or intended victim of such offense,]
INFLICTED BY A MEMBER OF THE SAME FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS  THE  DEFENDANT
AS  SUCH  TERM  IS  DEFINED  IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 530.11 OF THE
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW; (b) such abuse was  a  SIGNIFICANT  CONTRIBUTING
factor  [in  causing  the  defendant to commit such offense and]  TO THE
DEFENDANT'S CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR; (c) [the victim  or  intended  victim  of
such offense was a member of the same family or household as the defend-
ant  as such term is defined in subdivision one of section 530.11 of the
criminal procedure law,  may,  in  lieu  of  imposing  such  determinate
sentence  of imprisonment, impose an indeterminate sentence of imprison-
ment in accordance with subdivisions two and  three  of  this  section.]
HAVING  REGARD  FOR  THE  NATURE  AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CRIME AND THE
HISTORY, CHARACTER AND CONDITION OF THE DEFENDANT, THAT  A  SENTENCE  OF
IMPRISONMENT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  70.00, 70.02 OR 70.06 OF THIS TITLE
WOULD BE UNDULY HARSH MAY INSTEAD IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
SUBDIVISION  TWO,  THREE,  FOUR,  FIVE, SIX OR SEVEN OF THIS SECTION, AS
APPLICABLE.
  A COURT MAY  DETERMINE  THAT  SUCH  ABUSE  CONSTITUTES  A  SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTING  FACTOR  PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH  (B)  OF  THIS SUBDIVISION
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DEFENDANT RAISED A DEFENSE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE
THIRTY-FIVE, ARTICLE FORTY, OR SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION 125.25 OF THIS
CHAPTER.
  AT THE HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DEFENDANT SHOULD BE  SENTENCED
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION,  THE  COURT SHALL CONSIDER ORAL AND WRITTEN
ARGUMENTS, TAKE TESTIMONY FROM WITNESSES OFFERED BY  EITHER  PARTY,  AND
CONSIDER  RELEVANT EVIDENCE TO ASSIST IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION. RELI-
ABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE ADMISSIBLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  2. [The maximum term of an indeterminate sentence imposed pursuant  to
subdivision  one of this section must be fixed by the court as follows:]
WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  PURSUANT
TO SECTION 70.02 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A DEFINITE SENTENCE
OF IMPRISONMENT OF ONE YEAR OR LESS, OR PROBATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SECTION 65.00 OF THIS TITLE, OR MAY FIX A DETERMINATE TERM
OF IMPRISONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (a)  For  a  class B felony, the term must be at least [six years] ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [twenty-five] FIVE years;
  (b) For a class C felony, the term must be at least [four and one-half
years] ONE YEAR and must not exceed [fifteen] THREE AND ONE-HALF years;
  (c) For a class D felony, the term must be at least [three years]  ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [seven] TWO years; and
  (d)  For a class E felony, the term must be [at least three years] ONE
YEAR and must not exceed [four] ONE AND ONE-HALF years.
  3. [The minimum period of imprisonment under an indeterminate sentence
imposed pursuant to subdivision one of this section must be fixed by the
court at one-half of the maximum term imposed and must be  specified  in
the  sentence]  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A
SENTENCE FOR A CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00 OF  THIS
TITLE,  THE COURT MAY FIX A DETERMINATE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF AT LEAST
FIVE YEARS AND NOT TO EXCEED FIFTEEN YEARS.
  4. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  FOR
A  CLASS  A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF PARAGRAPH (B)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY  FIX  A

S. 3337--C                          3

DETERMINATE  TERM  OF  IMPRISONMENT  OF  AT  LEAST FIVE YEARS AND NOT TO
EXCEED EIGHT YEARS.
  5.  WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE FOR
A CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF  PARAGRAPH  (B)
OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY FIX A
DETERMINATE  TERM  OF  IMPRISONMENT  OF  AT  LEAST FIVE YEARS AND NOT TO
EXCEED TWELVE YEARS.
  6. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  FOR
A  CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (B)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY  FIX  A
DETERMINATE  TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF AT LEAST ONE YEAR AND NOT TO EXCEED
THREE YEARS.
  7. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  FOR
A  CLASS A FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (B)
OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.71 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY FIX A
DETERMINATE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF AT LEAST  THREE  YEARS  AND  NOT  TO
EXCEED SIX YEARS.
  8.  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD  OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS  TITLE,  THE  COURT
MAY FIX A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT AS FOLLOWS:
  (A)  FOR  A  CLASS B FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST THREE YEARS AND
MUST NOT EXCEED EIGHT YEARS;
  (B) FOR A CLASS C FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO  AND  ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED FIVE YEARS;
  (C) FOR A CLASS D FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND MUST
NOT EXCEED THREE YEARS;
  (D)  FOR  A CLASS E FELONY, THE TERM MUST BE AT LEAST ONE AND ONE-HALF
YEARS AND MUST NOT EXCEED TWO YEARS.
  9. WHERE A COURT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE  FOR
A  CLASS  B,  C, D OR E FELONY OFFENSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 70.00 OF THIS
TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  10. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION SEVEN OF THIS SECTION,  WHERE  A
COURT  WOULD  OTHERWISE  BE  REQUIRED  TO  IMPOSE A SENTENCE PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A
SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF
SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  11.  WHERE  A  COURT  WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION 70.06 OF THIS TITLE, WHERE  THE
PRIOR  FELONY  CONVICTION  WAS  FOR  A FELONY OFFENSE DEFINED IN SECTION
70.02 OF THIS TITLE, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A SENTENCE IN ACCORDANCE  WITH
THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION 70.70 OF THIS TITLE.
  S  2.  Paragraphs  (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of subdivision 2 of
section 70.45 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 7 of the  laws  of
2007, are amended to read as follows:
  (a)  such  period shall be one year whenever a determinate sentence of
imprisonment is imposed pursuant to subdivision two of section 70.70  of
this  article  OR SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a
conviction of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (b) such period shall be not less than one  year  nor  more  than  two
years  whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed pursu-
ant to subdivision two of section 70.70 of this article  OR  SUBDIVISION
FIVE  OF  SECTION  60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a class B or
class C felony offense;
  (c) such period shall be not less than one  year  nor  more  than  two
years  whenever a determinate sentence of imprisonment is imposed pursu-

S. 3337--C                          4

ant to subdivision three or four of section 70.70  of  this  article  OR
SUBDIVISION  SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon conviction
of a class D or class E felony offense;
  (d) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than  three  years  whenever  a  determinate sentence of imprisonment is
imposed pursuant to subdivision three or four of section 70.70  of  this
article  OR SUBDIVISION SIX OR SEVEN OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon
conviction of a class B felony or class C felony offense;
  (e) such period shall be not less than one and one-half years nor more
than three years whenever a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three of section 70.02 of this article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class D or class E violent felony offense;
  (f) such period shall be not less than two and one-half years nor more
than five years whenever  a  determinate  sentence  of  imprisonment  is
imposed  pursuant  to subdivision three of section 70.02 of this article
OR SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION 60.12 OF THIS TITLE upon a conviction of a
class B or class C violent felony offense.
  S 3. The criminal procedure law is amended by  adding  a  new  section
440.47 to read as follows:
S 440.47 MOTION FOR RESENTENCE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.
  1.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  CONTRARY  PROVISION  OF LAW, ANY PERSON
CONFINED IN AN INSTITUTION OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION  AND
COMMUNITY  SUPERVISION  SERVING A SENTENCE WITH A MINIMUM OR DETERMINATE
TERM OF EIGHT YEARS OR MORE FOR AN OFFENSE COMMITTED PRIOR TO THE EFFEC-
TIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION  AND  ELIGIBLE  FOR  AN  ALTERNATIVE  SENTENCE
PURSUANT  TO SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW MAY, ON OR AFTER SUCH EFFEC-
TIVE DATE, SUBMIT TO THE JUDGE  OR  JUSTICE  WHO  IMPOSED  THE  ORIGINAL
SENTENCE UPON SUCH PERSON A REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING IN ACCORD-
ANCE  WITH  SECTION  60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW. SUCH PERSON MUST INCLUDE IN
HIS OR HER REQUEST DOCUMENTATION PROVING THAT SHE OR HE IS  CONFINED  IN
AN  INSTITUTION  OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND COMMUNITY
SUPERVISION SERVING A SENTENCE WITH A MINIMUM  OR  DETERMINATE  TERM  OF
EIGHT YEARS OR MORE FOR AN OFFENSE COMMITTED PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF  THIS  SECTION  AND  THAT  SHE OR HE IS SERVING SUCH SENTENCE FOR ANY
OFFENSE ELIGIBLE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SENTENCE UNDER SECTION 60.12 OF  THE
PENAL LAW.
  (B) IF, AT THE TIME OF SUCH PERSON'S REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING
PURSUANT  TO THIS SECTION, THE ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE IS A
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION, BUT SUCH COURT IS
NOT THE COURT IN WHICH THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCE  WAS  IMPOSED,  THEN  THE
REQUEST  SHALL  BE  RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE
COURT IN WHICH THE  ORIGINAL  SENTENCE  WAS  IMPOSED.  IF  THE  ORIGINAL
SENTENCING JUDGE IS NO LONGER A JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF A COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION,  THEN  THE  REQUEST  SHALL BE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ANOTHER
JUDGE OR JUSTICE OF THE COURT.
  (C) IF THE COURT FINDS THAT SUCH PERSON HAS MET  THE  REQUIREMENTS  TO
APPLY  FOR  RESENTENCING  IN  PARAGRAPH A OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT
SHALL NOTIFY SUCH PERSON THAT HE OR SHE MAY SUBMIT  AN  APPLICATION  FOR
RESENTENCING.  UPON  SUCH  NOTIFICATION, THE PERSON MAY REQUEST THAT THE
COURT ASSIGN  HIM  OR  HER  AN  ATTORNEY  FOR  THE  PREPARATION  OF  AND
PROCEEDINGS  ON  THE  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING  PURSUANT  TO  THIS
SECTION.  THE  ATTORNEY  SHALL  BE  ASSIGNED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH   THE
PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTEEN AND
SUBDIVISION FOUR OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE  COUNTY  LAW
AND THE RELATED PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW.

S. 3337--C                          5

  (D)  IF  THE COURT FINDS THAT SUCH PERSON HAS NOT MET THE REQUIREMENTS
TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING IN PARAGRAPH A  OF  SUBDIVISION  ONE  OF  THIS
SECTION,  THE  COURT  SHALL  NOTIFY  SUCH  PERSON AND DISMISS HIS OR HER
REQUEST WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  2.  (A)  UPON  THE COURT'S RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING,
THE COURT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE APPROPRIATE  DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  AND
PROVIDE SUCH DISTRICT ATTORNEY WITH A COPY OF THE APPLICATION.
  (B)  IF  THE JUDGE OR JUSTICE THAT RECEIVED THE APPLICATION IS NOT THE
ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE, THE APPLICATION MAY BE REFERRED TO
THE ORIGINAL SENTENCING JUDGE OR JUSTICE PROVIDED THAT HE OR  SHE  IS  A
JUDGE  OR  JUSTICE  OF  A  COURT  OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AND THAT THE
APPLICANT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AGREE THAT THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE
REFERRED.
  (C) AN APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  MUST
INCLUDE  AT  LEAST  TWO PIECES OF EVIDENCE CORROBORATING THE APPLICANT'S
CLAIM THAT HE OR SHE WAS, AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE, A VICTIM OF DOMES-
TIC VIOLENCE SUBJECTED TO SUBSTANTIAL PHYSICAL, SEXUAL OR  PSYCHOLOGICAL
ABUSE  INFLICTED  BY  A  MEMBER  OF  THE SAME FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS THE
APPLICANT AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF  SECTION  530.11
OF THIS CHAPTER.
  AT LEAST ONE PIECE OF EVIDENCE MUST BE EITHER A COURT RECORD, PRE-SEN-
TENCE  REPORT,  SOCIAL SERVICES RECORD, HOSPITAL RECORD, SWORN STATEMENT
FROM A WITNESS TO THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORD,  DOMES-
TIC  INCIDENT  REPORT,  OR  ORDER  OF  PROTECTION.    OTHER EVIDENCE MAY
INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO,  LOCAL  AND  STATE  DEPARTMENT  OF
CORRECTIONS  RECORDS,  A SHOWING BASED IN PART ON DOCUMENTATION PREPARED
AT OR NEAR THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION OF THE OFFENSE OR THE  PROSECUTION
THEREOF  TENDING TO SUPPORT THE PERSON'S CLAIM, OR WHEN THERE IS VERIFI-
CATION OF CONSULTATION WITH A LICENSED MEDICAL  OR  MENTAL  HEALTH  CARE
PROVIDER,  EMPLOYEE  OF  A  COURT  ACTING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HIS OR HER
EMPLOYMENT, MEMBER OF THE  CLERGY,  ATTORNEY,  SOCIAL  WORKER,  OR  RAPE
CRISIS  COUNSELOR  AS  DEFINED  IN SECTION FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE
CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, OR OTHER ADVOCATE ACTING ON BEHALF  OF  AN
AGENCY  THAT  ASSISTS  VICTIMS  OF  DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ASSISTING SUCH  PERSON  WITH  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  VICTIM  COUNSELING  OR
SUPPORT.
  (D)  IF  THE  COURT FINDS THAT THE APPLICANT HAS NOT COMPLIED WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT SHALL DISMISS
THE APPLICATION WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
  (E) IF THE COURT FINDS  THAT  THE  APPLICANT  HAS  COMPLIED  WITH  THE
PROVISIONS OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT
A  HEARING  TO  AID IN MAKING ITS DETERMINATION OF WHETHER THE APPLICANT
SHOULD BE RESENTENCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW.
AT SUCH HEARING THE COURT SHALL DETERMINE ANY CONTROVERTED ISSUE OF FACT
RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE OF SENTENCING. RELIABLE HEARSAY SHALL BE  ADMISSI-
BLE AT SUCH HEARINGS.
  THE COURT MAY CONSIDER ANY FACT OR CIRCUMSTANCES RELEVANT TO THE IMPO-
SITION  OF  A  NEW  SENTENCE WHICH ARE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT OR THE
DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND  MAY,  IN  ADDITION,  CONSIDER  THE  INSTITUTIONAL
RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH PERSON, BUT SHALL NOT ORDER A NEW PRE-SEN-
TENCE  INVESTIGATION  AND REPORT OR ENTERTAIN ANY MATTER CHALLENGING THE
UNDERLYING BASIS OF THE SUBJECT CONVICTION. THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION OF
THE INSTITUTIONAL RECORD OF CONFINEMENT OF SUCH APPLICANT SHALL INCLUDE,
BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, SUCH APPLICANT'S PARTICIPATION IN OR  WILLINGNESS
TO  PARTICIPATE  IN PROGRAMMING SUCH AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PARENTING AND
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT WHILE INCARCERATED AND SUCH APPLICANT'S DISCI-

S. 3337--C                          6

PLINARY HISTORY. THE FACT THAT THE APPLICANT MAY  HAVE  BEEN  UNABLE  TO
PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT OR OTHER PROGRAMMING WHILE INCARCERATED DESPITE
SUCH APPLICANT'S WILLINGNESS TO DO SO SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A NEGATIVE
FACTOR IN DETERMINING A MOTION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
  (F)  IF  THE  COURT DETERMINES THAT THE APPLICANT SHOULD NOT BE RESEN-
TENCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF  THE  PENAL  LAW,  THE  COURT
SHALL  INFORM SUCH APPLICANT OF ITS DECISION AND SHALL ENTER AN ORDER TO
THAT EFFECT. ANY ORDER ISSUED BY A COURT PURSUANT TO THIS  SECTION  MUST
INCLUDE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND THE REASONS FOR SUCH ORDER.
  (G)  IF  THE COURT DETERMINES THAT THE APPLICANT SHOULD BE RESENTENCED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, THE COURT SHALL NOTI-
FY THE APPLICANT THAT, UNLESS HE OR SHE  WITHDRAWS  THE  APPLICATION  OR
APPEALS  FROM  SUCH  ORDER,  THE  COURT WILL ENTER AN ORDER VACATING THE
SENTENCE ORIGINALLY IMPOSED AND IMPOSING THE NEW SENTENCE TO BE  IMPOSED
AS  AUTHORIZED  BY SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW. ANY ORDER ISSUED BY A
COURT PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MUST INCLUDE WRITTEN FINDINGS OF FACT AND
THE REASONS FOR SUCH ORDER.
  3. AN APPEAL MAY BE TAKEN AS OF RIGHT IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS  OF  THIS CHAPTER: (A) FROM AN ORDER DENYING RESENTENCING; OR
(B) FROM A NEW SENTENCE IMPOSED UNDER THIS PROVISION AND MAY BE BASED ON
THE GROUNDS THAT (I) THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE;
OR (II) THAT THE TERM OF THE NEW SENTENCE IS UNAUTHORIZED AS A MATTER OF
LAW. AN APPEAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH  THE  APPLICABLE  PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
CHAPTER  MAY  ALSO  BE  TAKEN AS OF RIGHT BY THE APPLICANT FROM AN ORDER
SPECIFYING AND INFORMING SUCH APPLICANT OF THE TERM OF  THE  DETERMINATE
SENTENCE THE COURT WOULD IMPOSE UPON RESENTENCING ON THE GROUND THAT THE
TERM  OF THE PROPOSED SENTENCE IS HARSH OR EXCESSIVE; UPON REMAND TO THE
SENTENCING COURT FOLLOWING SUCH APPEAL THE APPLICANT SHALL BE  GIVEN  AN
OPPORTUNITY  TO  WITHDRAW  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING BEFORE ANY
RESENTENCE IS IMPOSED. THE APPLICANT MAY REQUEST THAT THE  COURT  ASSIGN
HIM  OR  HER  AN  ATTORNEY FOR THE PREPARATION OF AND PROCEEDINGS ON ANY
APPEALS REGARDING HIS OR HER APPLICATION FOR  RESENTENCING  PURSUANT  TO
THIS  SECTION.  THE  ATTORNEY  SHALL  BE ASSIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION  SEVEN  HUNDRED  SEVENTEEN  AND
SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THE COUNTY LAW
AND THE RELATED PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE EIGHTEEN-A OF SUCH LAW.
  4. IN CALCULATING THE NEW TERM TO BE SERVED BY THE APPLICANT  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION 60.12 OF THE PENAL LAW, SUCH APPLICANT SHALL BE CREDITED FOR
ANY JAIL TIME CREDITED TOWARDS THE SUBJECT CONVICTION  AS  WELL  AS  ANY
PERIOD OF INCARCERATION CREDITED TOWARD THE SENTENCE ORIGINALLY IMPOSED.
  S 4. Subdivision 1 of section 450.90 of the criminal procedure law, as
amended  by section 10 of part AAA of chapter 56 of the laws of 2009, is
amended to read as follows:
  1. Provided that a certificate granting  leave  to  appeal  is  issued
pursuant  to section 460.20, an appeal may, except as provided in subdi-
vision two, be taken to the court of appeals by either the defendant  or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  pursuant to section 450.10, 450.15, or 450.20, or from
an order granting or denying a motion to set aside an order of an inter-
mediate appellate court on  the  ground  of  ineffective  assistance  or
wrongful deprivation of appellate counsel, or by either the defendant or
the  people from any adverse or partially adverse order of an intermedi-
ate appellate court entered upon an appeal taken  to  such  intermediate
appellate  court  from  an  order  entered pursuant to section 440.46 OR
SECTION 440.47 of this chapter. An order of  an  intermediate  appellate

S. 3337--C                          7

court  is  adverse to the party who was the appellant in such court when
it affirms the judgment, sentence or order appealed from, and is adverse
to the party who was the respondent in such court when it  reverses  the
judgment,  sentence  or  order  appealed  from. An appellate court order
which modifies a judgment or order appealed from is partially adverse to
each party.
  S 5. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 390.50 of the  criminal
procedure  law,  as amended by section 5 of part OO of chapter 56 of the
laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
  (a) Not less than one court day prior to sentencing, unless such  time
requirement  is  waived by the parties, the pre-sentence report or memo-
randum shall be made available by the  court  for  examination  and  for
copying by the defendant's attorney, the defendant himself, if he has no
attorney,  and  the  prosecutor. In its discretion, the court may except
from disclosure a part or parts of the report or memoranda which are not
relevant to a proper sentence, or a diagnostic opinion which might seri-
ously disrupt a program of rehabilitation,  or  sources  of  information
which  have  been obtained on a promise of confidentiality, or any other
portion thereof, disclosure of which would not be  in  the  interest  of
justice.  In  all cases where a part or parts of the report or memoranda
are not disclosed, the court shall state for the record that a  part  or
parts  of the report or memoranda have been excepted and the reasons for
its action. The action of the court excepting information  from  disclo-
sure shall be subject to appellate review. The pre-sentence report shall
be made available by the court for examination and copying in connection
with any appeal in the case, including an appeal under this subdivision.
Upon  written  request,  the  court shall make a copy of the presentence
report, other than a part or parts of the report redacted by  the  court
pursuant  to  this  paragraph, available to the defendant for use before
the parole board for release consideration or  an  appeal  of  a  parole
board  determination  OR  AN  APPLICATION  FOR  RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO
SECTION 440.46 OR 440.47 OF THIS CHAPTER. In his or her written  request
to  the  court  the defendant shall affirm that he or she anticipates an
appearance before the parole board or intends to file an  administrative
appeal of a parole board determination OR MEETS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
FOR  AND INTENDS TO FILE A MOTION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO 440.46 OF
THIS CHAPTER OR HAS RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE COURT WHICH  RECEIVED
HIS  OR HER REQUEST TO APPLY FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO SECTION 440.47
OF THIS CHAPTER CONFIRMING THAT HE OR  SHE  IS  ELIGIBLE  TO  SUBMIT  AN
APPLICATION FOR RESENTENCING PURSUANT TO SECTION 440.47 OF THIS CHAPTER.
The court shall respond to the defendant's written request within twenty
days from receipt of the defendant's written request.
  S  6.  This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
sections one and two of this act shall apply to offenses  committed  on,
after  and  prior  to  such  effective  date where the sentence for such
offense has not yet been imposed; provided, further that sections three,
four and five of this act shall take effect on the ninetieth  day  after
it shall have become a law.

Comments

Open Legislation is a forum for New York State legislation. All comments are subject to review and community moderation is encouraged.

Comments deemed off-topic, commercial, campaign-related, self-promotional; or that contain profanity, hate or toxic speech; or that link to sites outside of the nysenate.gov domain are not permitted, and will not be published. Attempts to intimidate and silence contributors or deliberately deceive the public, including excessive or extraneous posting/posts, or coordinated activity, are prohibited and may result in the temporary or permanent banning of the user. Comment moderation is generally performed Monday through Friday. By contributing or voting you agree to the Terms of Participation and verify you are over 13.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.

Senate Bill S3337C

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Codes Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337 - Details

2013-S3337 - Summary

2013-S3337 - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337A - Details

2013-S3337A - Summary

2013-S3337A - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337B - Details

2013-S3337B - Summary

2013-S3337B - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337B - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Details

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Summary

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S3337C

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Codes Committee

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337 - Details

2013-S3337 - Summary

2013-S3337 - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337A - Details

2013-S3337A - Summary

2013-S3337A - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337A - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337B - Details

2013-S3337B - Summary

2013-S3337B - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337B - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Details

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Summary

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2013-S3337C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments