New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 121.11 — Criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 121: Strangulation and Related Offenses, New York Penal Law.
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 121.11
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
121.11 Criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.
A person is guilty of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood
circulation when, with intent to impede the normal breathing or
circulation of the blood of another person, he or she:
a. applies pressure on the throat or neck of such person; or
b. blocks the nose or mouth of such person.
Criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation is a class A
misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.