New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 240.31 — Aggravated harassment in the first degree
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 240: Offenses Against Public Order, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 240.31
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.
240.31 Aggravated harassment in the first degree.
A person is guilty of aggravated harassment in the first degree when
with intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm another person, because
of a belief or perception regarding such person's race, color, national
origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion,
religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation, regardless of
whether the belief or perception is correct, he or she:
1. Damages premises primarily used for religious purposes, or acquired
pursuant to section six of the religious corporation law and maintained
for purposes of religious instruction, and the damage to the premises
exceeds fifty dollars; or
2. Commits the crime of aggravated harassment in the second degree in
the manner proscribed by the provisions of subdivision three of section
240.30 of this article and has been previously convicted of the crime of
aggravated harassment in the second degree for the commission of conduct
proscribed by the provisions of subdivision three of section 240.30 or
he or she has been previously convicted of the crime of aggravated
harassment in the first degree within the preceding ten years; or
3. Etches, paints, draws upon or otherwise places a swastika, commonly
exhibited as the emblem of Nazi Germany, on any building or other real
property, public or private, owned by any person, firm or corporation or
any public agency or instrumentality, without express permission of the
owner or operator of such building or real property;
4. Sets on fire a cross in public view; or
5. Etches, paints, draws upon or otherwise places or displays a noose,
commonly exhibited as a symbol of racism and intimidation, on any
building or other real property, public or private, owned by any person,
firm or corporation or any public agency or instrumentality, without
express permission of the owner or operator of such building or real
property.
Aggravated harassment in the first degree is a class E felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of felony is aggravated harassment in the first degree in New York?
Aggravated harassment in the first degree is a Class E Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 240.31.
Which New York statute covers aggravated harassment in the first degree?
Aggravated harassment in the first degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.31 (Aggravated harassment in the first degree).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.