New York A00720 amends the criminal procedure law to mandate youthful offender status for eligible youth convicted of misdemeanors.

New York A00720 amends the criminal procedure law to change how courts determine youthful offender status for eligible youth convicted of misdemeanors. The court must order a pre-sentence investigation and consider specific criteria. If the court believes justice is served by avoiding a criminal record and limiting imprisonment to less than four years, it may designate the youth as a youthful offender. For misdemeanor convictions in local criminal courts, if the youth has no prior convictions or youthful offender findings, the court must designate them as a youthful offender.

New York A00720 amends the criminal procedure law to mandate youthful offender status for eligible youth convicted of misdemeanors.

New York A00720 amends the criminal procedure law to change how courts determine youthful offender status for eligible youth convicted of misdemeanors. The court must order a pre-sentence investigation and consider specific criteria. If the court believes justice is served by avoiding a criminal record and limiting imprisonment to less than four years, it may designate the youth as a youthful offender. For misdemeanor convictions in local criminal courts, if the youth has no prior convictions or youthful offender findings, the court must designate them as a youthful offender.