Crime Victims, Crime and Correction

Child Protection Act of 2010 Strengthens Penal Law, Establishes New Penalties for Murder & Rape of a child

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Majority passed some of the strongest laws in the country making those responsible for the intentional death of a child punishable to the very fullest extent of the law – life without the opportunity for parole.

The Majority’s legislation, the Child Protection Act of 2010 (S7705/Hassell-Thompson) establishes the class A-I felony of aggravated murder of a child; under this charge the sentence is life imprisonment without parole. Aggravated murder includes:

Majority adopts Interest On Lawyer Account funding in legislation

(Albany, NY) Recognizing the need to give all New Yorkers equal access to our justice system, the Senate Democratic Majority passed budget legislation on June 21, 2010 that fully funds the $15 million Judiciary appropriation for civil legal services for poor New Yorkers.

Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Mt. Vernon), Chair of the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction and Conference Chairwoman said, “We needed to stabilize Civil Legal Services in New York State and we did. Now New Yorkers who need legal assistance to stop foreclosure actions, to fight for unemployment benefits, to fight against housing evictions, debt collection and scores of other actions will have access to competent counsel.”