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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 215.60 — Criminal contempt of the legislature

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 215: Other Offenses Relating to Judicial and Other Proceedings, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 215.60

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.

N.Y. Penal Law § 215.60Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
215.60 Criminal contempt of the legislature. A person is guilty of criminal contempt of the legislature when, having been duly subpoenaed to attend as a witness before either house of the legislature or before any committee thereof, he: 1. Fails or refuses to attend without lawful excuse; or 2. Refuses to be sworn; or 3. Refuses to answer any material and proper question; or 4. Refuses, after reasonable notice, to produce books, papers, or documents in his possession or under his control which constitute material and proper evidence. Criminal contempt of the legislature is a class A misdemeanor.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of misdemeanor is criminal contempt of the legislature in New York?

Criminal contempt of the legislature is a Class A Misdemeanor in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 215.60.

Which New York statute covers criminal contempt of the legislature?

Criminal contempt of the legislature is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 215.60 (Criminal contempt of the legislature).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.