Crime Committee Report e.indd - New York State Senate

children who are sexually abused do not always recognize that they are being victimized. Those
who recognize what has happened fear that disclosure will bring consequences even worse than
being victimized again. Most children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser; this
violation of trust develops into an inability to trust leading to another unreported crime. Also
the post traumatic stress that occurs from being repeatedly abused in childhood can result in
disassociation, preventing memories from being integrated into consciousness and resulting
a total denial of the abuse. This coping mechanism may lead to an altered sense of self and
extend into adulthood. Many victims suffer from long term psychological disturbances and
in extreme cases may develop a multiple personality disorder. Once the disassociation or post
traumatic stress disorder develops treatment becomes very difficult and the victims resistant.
Many times only as an adult can the survivors of child sexual assault recognize having been
abused, confront their abuser and take action,
S.5961 Schneiderman
Speedy Trial for Traffic Infractions
This is one in a series of measures being introduced at the request of the Chief Administrative
Judge upon the recommendation of her Advisory Committee on Criminal Law and Procedure.
This measure would amend the Criminal Procedure Law to authorize a court to dismiss
any traffic infraction that remains as the sole charge in an accusatory instrument the other
charges of which were dismissed pursuant to CPL 30.30.Traffic infractions do not fall within the
offenses for which CPL. 30.30 provisions apply (see People v Gonzalez, 168 Misc.2d 136 (App
Term 1st Dept 1996)). As noted in the Commentary to CPL 30.30, speedy trial provisions do
not apply to traffic infractions because CPL 30.30(1)(d) specifically applies to “offenses,” and a
traffic infraction is only a “petty offense.
S.6341 Duane
Guidelines for Informants
This bill is designed to provide guidelines, and to allow for more legislative, judicial and
public scrutiny over the practice of using informants to solve crimes to ensure that it is truly
benefiting society and creating safer neighborhoods for New Yorkers. It also attempts to provide
for more continuity in the circumstances surrounding the creation and maintenance of
informants. The bill does not intend to eliminate the practice, rather it seeks to set standards
and achieve greater oversight of the entire process.
S.6980 DIAZ, GOLDEN, HASSELL-THOMPSON, O. JOHNSON, KRUGER, ONORATO, PADAVAN,
RANZENHOFER
Gang Recruitment Prohibited
Gangs clearly pose a significant threat to community safety. From January to mid-October
2009, there were approximately 200 gang-motivated incidents in New York City: These incidents
not only effect gang members but often involve innocent victims that are in the wrong
place at the wrong time. In order to combat the influence that gangs have on our youth, it
is time that we punish those that actively recruit new members. This legislation would target
recruiters of street gangs by creating the crime of gang recruitment of a minor. A person that is
found guilty of criminal street gang recruitment when he or she coerces, recruits or induces a
person under sixteen years of age to join their gang will be charged with a class C felony.
72
New York State Senate