Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 — Sentences of imprisonment for misdemeanors and violation

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

Part of Article 70: Sentences of Imprisonment, New York Penal Law.

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15

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 § 70.15Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
70.15 Sentences of imprisonment for misdemeanors and violation. 1. Class A misdemeanor. A sentence of imprisonment for a class A misdemeanor shall be a definite sentence. When such a sentence is imposed the term shall be fixed by the court, and shall not exceed three hundred sixty-four days. 1-a. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, whenever the phrase "one year" or "three hundred sixty-five days" or "365 days" or any similar phrase appears in any provision of this chapter or any other law in reference to the definite sentence or maximum definite sentence of imprisonment that is imposed, or has been imposed, or may be imposed after enactment of this subdivision, for a misdemeanor conviction in this state, such phrase shall mean, be interpreted and be applied as three hundred sixty-four days. (b) The amendatory provisions of this subdivision are ameliorative and shall apply to all persons who are sentenced before, on or after the effective date of this subdivision, for a crime committed before, on or after the effective date of this subdivision. (c) Any sentence for a misdemeanor conviction imposed prior to the effective date of this subdivision that is a definite sentence of imprisonment of one year, or three hundred sixty-five days, shall, by operation of law, be changed to, mean and be interpreted and applied as a sentence of three hundred sixty-four days. In addition to any other right of a person to obtain a record of a proceeding against him or her, a person so sentenced prior to the effective date of this subdivision shall be entitled to obtain, from the criminal court or the clerk thereof, a certificate of conviction, as described in subdivision one of section 60.60 of the criminal procedure law, setting forth such sentence as the sentence specified in this paragraph. (d) Any sentence for a misdemeanor conviction imposed prior to the effective date of this subdivision that is other than a definite sentence of imprisonment of one year may be set aside, upon motion of the defendant under section 440.20 of the criminal procedure law based on a showing that the judgment and sentence under the law in effect at the time of conviction imposed prior to the effective date of this subdivision is likely to result in collateral consequences, in order to permit the court to resentence the defendant in accordance with the amendatory provisions of this subdivision. (e) Resentence by operation of law is without prejudice to an individual seeking further relief pursuant to paragraph (j) of subdivision one of section 440.10 of the criminal procedure law. Nothing in this section is intended to diminish or abrogate any rights or remedies otherwise available to the individual. 2. Class B misdemeanor. A sentence of imprisonment for a class B misdemeanor shall be a definite sentence. When such a sentence is imposed the term shall be fixed by the court, and shall not exceed three months. 3. Unclassified misdemeanor. A sentence of imprisonment for an unclassified misdemeanor shall be a definite sentence. When such a sentence is imposed the term shall be fixed by the court, and shall be in accordance with the sentence specified in the law or ordinance that defines the crime but, in any event, it shall not exceed three hundred sixty-four days. 4. Violation. A sentence of imprisonment for a violation shall be a definite sentence. When such a sentence is imposed the term shall be fixed by the court, and shall not exceed fifteen days. In the case of a violation defined outside this chapter, if the sentence is expressly specified in the law or ordinance that defines the offense and consists solely of a fine, no term of imprisonment shall be imposed.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What are the penalties for absconding from a furlough program in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, absconding from a furlough program carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for advertisement or sale of unauthorized recordings in the second degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, advertisement or sale of unauthorized recordings in the second degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for aggravated harassment in the second degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, aggravated harassment in the second degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for aggravated threat of mass harm in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, aggravated threat of mass harm carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for appearance in public under the influence of narcotics or a drug other than alcohol in New York?

As a Violation, appearance in public under the influence of narcotics or a drug other than alcohol carries up to 15 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $250 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for arson in the fifth degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, arson in the fifth degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for assault in the third degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, assault in the third degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for auto stripping in the third degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, auto stripping in the third degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for bail jumping in the third degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, bail jumping in the third degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

What are the penalties for cemetery desecration in the second degree in New York?

As a Class A Misdemeanor, cemetery desecration in the second degree carries up to 364 days (the maximum authorized for the class) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.15 (current).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.