New York legal term
Unlawful in New York Criminal Law
Current through 2026 New York legislative session
In New York criminal law, “Unlawful” 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 “Unlawful” mean in New York criminal law?
"Unlawful" means not specifically authorized by law. 13. (N.Y. Penal Law § 225.00)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Unlawful purchase of body armor
- Unlawful sale of body armor
- Aggravated family offense
- Aggravated harassment in the second degree
- Aggravated harassment of a judge
- Criminal contempt in the second degree
- Criminal nuisance in the first degree
- Criminal nuisance in the second degree
- Criminal purchase or disposal of a weapon
- Criminal tampering in the second degree
- Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the first degree
- Dissemination of an unlawful surveillance image in the second degree
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.