New York legal term
Place of religious worship in New York Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New York legislative session
In New York criminal law, “Place of religious worship” 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 “Place of religious worship” mean in New York criminal law?
"Place of religious worship" means any building or structure that a reasonable person would know that religious adherents collectively recognize as a place to regularly gather for or hold religious services, observance, prayer, assembly, education, instruction, or devotional practice, including community centers, and shall include its entrance, entryway, exit, parking lot, parking lot entrance, driveway, driveway entrance, or sidewalk that touches such places. (N.Y. Penal Law § 240.00)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.