New York legal term
Offense in New York Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New York legislative session
In New York criminal law, “Offense” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the New York criminal code.
What does “Offense” mean in New York criminal law?
"Offense" means conduct for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment or to a fine is provided by any law of this state or by any law, local law or ordinance of a political subdivision of this state, or by any order, rule or regulation of any governmental instrumentality authorized by law to adopt the same. 2. (N.Y. Penal Law § 10.00)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Unlawful purchase of body armor
- Unlawful sale of body armor
- Unlawfully dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks
- Aggravated family offense
- Aggravated insurance fraud
- Aggravated life settlement fraud
- Aggravated vehicular assault
- Aggravated vehicular homicide
- Auto stripping in the second degree
- Course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree
- Course of sexual conduct against a child in the second degree
- Crime of terrorism
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.