New York Laws
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Are Autopsy Reports Public in New York? (2026 Guide)
New York autopsy reports are not general public records. Under County Law 677 the next of kin, spouse, or estate representative may request a copy from the coroner or medical examiner.
Are Brass Knuckles Legal in New York? (2026 Penal Law 265.01)
New York bans metal or plastic knuckles: a class A misdemeanor (max 364 days, $1,000 fine), or a class D felony (max 7 years) after a prior criminal conviction.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal in New York? Psilocybin Laws (2026)
Psilocybin is Schedule I in New York. Possessing any amount is a class A misdemeanor, 25 mg or more is a felony, and any sale is a felony. No therapy program exists.
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Bankruptcy in New York (2026): Exemptions & Means Test
New York bankruptcy guide: filers may choose federal or state exemptions, the homestead is tiered by county up to $204,825, plus the 2026 means test.
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Common Law Marriage in New York: Is It Recognized? (2026)
New York abolished common law marriage formation on April 29, 1933, under Dom. Rel. Law Section 11. New York recognizes valid common law marriages from other states. Learn the rules.
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Does New York Have an Age Verification Law? (2026)
New York has no enacted adult-content age-verification law. S.3591 has now been defeated in committee twice. What New York's SAFE for Kids Act does instead.
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How Long Is a Life Sentence in New York? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to life sentences in New York: parole eligibility, LWOP rules, notable cases, recent legislative changes, and sentencing statutes. Updated March 2026.
How to Find a Cause of Death in New York (2026)
Find a cause of death in New York via the death certificate or autopsy report. It is confidential and restricted to family until records open after 50 years.
How to Get a New York Death Certificate (2026)
To get a New York death certificate, order from the NYS Department of Health (or NYC Health for city deaths). Certified copies cost $30 (state) or $15 (NYC) and require eligibility.
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Is Embezzlement a Felony in New York? Larceny and Forgery Laws
New York charges embezzlement as larceny: a felony generally above $1,000, rising with value. Forgery is graded by instrument, from misdemeanor to class C felony.
Is Jaywalking Illegal in New York? State Law and Fines (2026)
New York pedestrians may cross outside a crosswalk if they yield to all vehicles (VTL 1152). A violation is a traffic infraction with a fine of up to $150.
Is Kratom Legal in New York? Age 21 and 7-OH Rules (2026)
Kratom is not a controlled substance in New York. Sales to anyone under 21 carry a civil fine, labels are required from Dec. 19, 2026, and a 7-OH ban bill awaits action.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in New York? (2026 Law)
Lane splitting and filtering are illegal in New York under VTL 1252(c). A first violation is an infraction: up to $150, 15 days, or both, plus surcharge.
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Legal Separation in New York: Grounds, Residency and Divorce (2026)
New York allows legal separation under DRL 200, now with a six-month no-fault ground. Learn the grounds, residency rules, court orders and conversion to divorce.
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Medical Malpractice Laws in New York (2026): Deadlines
New York medical malpractice law: a 2.5-year deadline under CPLR 214-a, Lavern's Law for cancer misdiagnosis, a certificate of merit, and no damage cap.
Motorcycle Accident Laws in New York (2026): Deadlines
New York gives 3 years to sue after a motorcycle crash, follows pure comparative fault, and leaves motorcyclists outside the no-fault serious-injury threshold.
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New York Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificates and the NYC/NYS Split
New York lets adult adoptees request their original birth certificate directly since 2020, but NYC and NYS outside NYC use different systems. See both.
New York Age of Consent Laws: Statutes and Reporting
How New York criminal law protects minors by age, with Penal Law article 130 tiers, custodial provisions, penalties, registration and where to report.
New York AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Guide to New York AI laws including NYC Local Law 144 on automated hiring tools and the RAISE Act.
New York AI Meeting Recording Laws (2026)
New York is a one-party consent state. Bill S5077 would require both parties' consent for third-party phone recording. How current law applies to AI meeting recorders.
New York Annulment Laws: Grounds, Deadlines and How to File (2026)
New York annulment law explained: void and voidable marriages under DRL 5, 6, 7 and 140, who may sue, time limits, residency, proof rules and effects on children.
New York Assault Laws: Degrees, Felonies and Penalties (2026)
New York has no battery crime: Penal Law article 120 grades assault in three degrees. See which assaults are felonies, protected victims and penalty ranges.
New York At-Will Employment Laws: Exceptions and Your Rights
New York is an at-will state with no common-law public-policy tort. Learn about statutory protections under Labor Law 740 and 201-d, implied contract limits, and RTW status.
New York Audio Recording Laws: One-Party Consent Rules and Penalties
New York audio recording laws allow one-party consent under Penal Law 250.05. Learn when you can legally record conversations, penalties for eavesdropping, and court admissibility rules.
New York Background Check Laws (2026 Guide)
New York background check laws: Ban the Box, lookback periods, Clean Slate, employer and housing checks.
New York Biometric Privacy Laws: Collection, Consent & Penalties (2026)
Guide to New York biometric privacy laws including the SHIELD Act, NYC Local Law 3, pending Biometric Privacy Act (S1422), and employer obligations for 2026.
New York Birth Certificate: NYC vs State Office, Fees and How to Order
NYC births: NYC Health Department, $15 per copy plus a fee. Elsewhere in New York: State Health Department, $30 by mail or $45 online. Who can order and how.
New York Car Accident Laws: No-Fault, Serious Injury, and Your Claim
New York is a no-fault PIP state. Learn the verbal serious-injury threshold (Ins. Law 5102(d)), 3-year lawsuit deadline, pure comparative negligence, and minimum insurance rules.
New York Car Seat Laws (2026): Ages, Fines & Front Seat
New York requires car seats through age 7 and seat belts after, per VTL 1229-c. See the correct $25-$100 fine, the waiver rule, and front-seat rules.
New York Child Custody Laws: Best Interests, Case Law Standards, and Your Rights
New York decides custody by best interests under DRL 70/240 with no statutory factor list. Learn the Eschbach factors, Tropea relocation standard, and modification rules.
New York Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
New York child support uses CSSA percentages (17-35%) on combined income up to $193,000 (2026 cap). Support runs to age 21. Modify after 3 years or 15% income change.
New York Court Records: How to Search eCourts, the $95 CHRS Fee, and Both Sealing Tracks
New York's free eCourts suite splits by court type and case status. Learn the $95 CHRS search, town and village court gaps, and CPL 160.57 vs 160.59 sealing.
New York Dashcam Laws: Legality, Mounting Rules, and Evidence Use
New York dashcam laws allow dashboard cameras but restrict windshield mounting under VTL 375. Learn placement rules, audio recording consent, and how dashcam footage works as evidence.
New York Data Breach Notification Laws: Reporting Rules & Timelines (2026)
New York requires data breach notification within 30 days under the SHIELD Act. Learn who must be notified, safeguard requirements, and penalties up to $250K.
New York Data Privacy Laws: SHIELD Act & Consumer Rights (2026)
Guide to New York data privacy laws including the SHIELD Act, breach notification rules, biometric protections, employee monitoring law, and pending NY Privacy Act.
New York Death Records: Are They Public & How to Get One
New York death records are closed: only family or a documented legal claim can buy a certified copy. Records open to the public 50 years after the death. Fee: $30.
New York Debt Collection Laws: The 10% Income Execution Cap and the 3-Year Credit Card Deadline
New York caps most wage garnishment at 10% of gross income, shields bank funds automatically, and gives credit card debt only 3 years with no revival.
New York Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026)
New York has strong deepfake laws: Penal Law 245.15 criminalizes AI-altered intimate images, Civil Rights Law 52-c adds civil remedies, and Election Law 14-106 was updated in 2024.
New York Defamation Laws: Libel & Slander (2026)
New York defamation laws: a 1-year deadline under CPLR 215(3), libel vs slander, defamation per se, and a strong 2020 anti-SLAPP law (CRL 76-a).
New York Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass Laws (2026)
New York disorderly conduct (Penal Law 240.20) is a violation: up to 15 days and $250. Trespass ranges up to a class D felony when armed in a building.
New York Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
New York divorce laws explained: no-fault since 2010, irretrievable breakdown ground, residency paths, equitable distribution, and filing in Supreme Court.
New York Dog Bite Laws: Liability and Victim Rights
Learn New York dog bite laws, including the 2025 Flanders ruling allowing negligence claims, dangerous dog rules under AGM Section 123, and victim rights.
New York Drone Laws (2026): NYC Rules, Privacy & Prisons
New York drone law explained: why the state has no single drone statute, NYC's strict permit regime, the prison-contraband problem, and shoot-down rules.
New York DWI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
New York DWI laws: the 0.08% BAC limit, DWAI vs DWI, first-offense penalties under VTL 1192, the 6-month revocation, interlock, and the 10-year look-back.
New York E-Scooter Laws: Sidewalk, Helmet & Age Rules (2026)
New York e-scooter laws under Vehicle and Traffic Law Article 34-D: the 100 lb, 20 mph device definition, a minimum age of 16, and a helmet rule that applies only to riders 16 and 17.
New York Easements, Landlocked Land and Eminent Domain Laws (2026)
New York prescriptive easements borrow the 10-year adverse-possession period by analogy. See private-road rules, EDPL hearings, the 30-day challenge and fees.
New York Emancipation Laws: How Minors Become Emancipated in New York (2026)
New York has no emancipation petition. Learn how minors become emancipated in NY through economic independence, marriage, or military service, and how constructive emancipation affects child support under Family Court Act 413.
New York Employee Monitoring Laws: Notice, GPS, and Privacy Rules (2026)
New York employee monitoring law explained: the § 52-c electronic monitoring notice law, the § 203-c video recording ban, and the new § 201-i social media password law.
New York Expungement Laws: Record Sealing and the Clean Slate Act
New York uses sealing, not traditional expungement. Learn how CPL 160.59 discretionary sealing, the 2024 Clean Slate Act (CPL 160.57), and marijuana expungement under the MRTA work.
New York Extortion and Blackmail Laws: Larceny by Extortion (2026)
New York charges blackmail as larceny by extortion, a felony at any value under Penal Law 155.30(6). See the threats covered, coercion and penalties.
New York Felony Classes and Misdemeanor Penalties (2026)
New York grades felonies A through E and misdemeanors A and B. See each class prison or jail term, fine limit and probation length under the Penal Law.
New York Final Paycheck Laws: Regular Payday, Up to 300% in Damages
New York pays final wages on the regular payday for the termination pay period, but a willful violation can multiply damages up to 300%, Labor Law Section 198.
New York Fireworks Laws (2026): Sparkling Devices Outside NYC
New York allows sparkling devices outside New York City under Penal Law 270.00, sold only June 1-July 5 and Dec 26-Jan 2; true fireworks stay banned statewide.
New York FOIL: Freedom of Information Law Requests (2026)
New York FOIL requires a response in 5 business days, but that is an acknowledgment duty, not a production deadline. Learn fees and Article 78 appeals.
New York GPS Tracking Laws: Is It Legal to Put a Tracker on a Car? (2026)
Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on a car in New York? Jackie's Law makes unauthorized tracking stalking. Penalties, AirTag rules, and employer GPS limits.
New York Grandparents' Rights Laws: Visitation, Custody, and Two Tracks Inside One Statute
New York's DRL 72 covers both visitation and custody, under different standards. What E.S. v. P.D. and Suarez v. Williams each actually require.
New York Guardianship Laws: Article 81, 17-A and Minors (2026)
How New York guardianship works: Article 81 for adults, SCPA 17 for minors and 17-A for developmental disability, the burden of proof, counsel and alternatives.
New York Hit and Run Laws: VTL 600 Penalties and Your Legal Duties
Learn about New York hit and run penalties under VTL Section 600, including Class D felony charges for fatal accidents, fine amounts, demerit points, and your duties at the scene.
New York Homestead Exemption: STAR, Enhanced STAR and How to Apply
New York's homestead tax break is STAR: a school tax credit based on the first $30,000 of home value, or $88,500 for Enhanced STAR at 65. How to register.
New York Identity Theft Laws: The Four Degrees Under Penal Law 190.78-190.80-a
New York's four degrees of identity theft, from a class A misdemeanor to class D felonies, the aggravated offense protecting deployed troops, and freeze rights.