Golden: Senate Passes Bill Preventing Criminal Name Change

Albany – The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S. 1746) introduced by Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a former New York City Police Officer, that would prevent convicted felons currently confined as an inmate in any correctional facility, on parole, or on probation, from being able to legally change their name.

The legislation is a result of a 2000 civil rights law amendment that established a process for violent felons so to petition for a legal name change that includes crime victim and community notification. The process gives victims a chance to voice their opposition to such name changes.

Senator Golden stated, “Isn’t it enough to be a victim of a crime, and then to have to proceed with a trial, looking the one who caused you harm right in the face for days, weeks and sometimes months. This court ruling now adds to the pain of New York’s victims, in it causes people to vividly recall the incident, in an effort to keep a felon from changing their name.”

Golden continued, “This bill stops criminals from victimizing law abiding citizens again in a court of law. New York needs to stop coddling criminals at the expense of victims. We should never consider the rights of the criminals in advance of those of the victims.”

The bill was sent to the Assembly.