STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6319
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 10, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. MYRIE, CLEARE, COMRIE, RIVERA, SALAZAR, SEPULVEDA --
read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to
the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law and the judiciary law, in
relation to motions to vacate judgment; and to repeal certain
provisions of the criminal procedure law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The criminal procedure law is amended by adding two new
2 sections 440.00 and 440.11 to read as follows:
3 § 440.00 Definition.
4 As used in this article, the term "applicant" means a person previous-
5 ly convicted of a crime who is applying for relief under this article.
6 § 440.11 Motion to vacate judgment; change in the law.
7 1. At any time after the entry of a judgment obtained at trial or by
8 plea, the court in which it was entered may, upon motion of the appli-
9 cant, vacate such conviction upon the ground that the applicant was
10 convicted of any offense in the state of New York which has been subse-
11 quently decriminalized and is thus a legal nullity.
12 2. If the court grants a motion under this section, it shall vacate
13 the conviction on the merits, dismiss the accusatory instrument, seal
14 the conviction, and may take such additional action as is appropriate in
15 the circumstances.
16 § 2. Section 440.10 of the criminal procedure law, paragraph (g-1) of
17 subdivision 1 as added by chapter 19 of the laws of 2012, paragraph (h)
18 of subdivision 1, paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 and subdivision 4 as
19 amended and subdivisions 7 and 8 as renumbered by chapter 332 of the
20 laws of 2010, paragraph (i) of subdivision 1 and subdivision 6 as
21 amended by chapter 629 of the laws of 2021, paragraph (j) of subdivision
22 1 as amended by chapter 131 of the laws of 2019, paragraph (k) of subdi-
23 vision 1 as amended by chapter 92 of the laws of 2021, paragraphs (b)
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00248-03-5
S. 6319 2
1 and (c) of subdivision 2 as amended by chapter 501 of the laws of 2021,
2 and subdivision 9 as added by section 4 of part OO of chapter 55 of the
3 laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
4 § 440.10 Motion to vacate judgment.
5 1. At any time after the entry of a judgment obtained at trial or by
6 plea, the court in which it was entered may, upon motion of the [defend-
7 ant] applicant, vacate such judgment upon the ground that:
8 (a) The court did not have jurisdiction of the action or of the person
9 of the [defendant] applicant; or
10 (b) The judgment was procured by duress, misrepresentation or fraud on
11 the part of the court or a prosecutor or a person acting for or in
12 behalf of a court or a prosecutor; or
13 (c) [Material evidence adduced at a trial] Evidence that was likely
14 relied upon by a fact finder resulting in the judgment at trial or that
15 was likely relied upon by any party as a basis for a plea agreement was
16 false [and was, prior to the entry of the judgment, known by the prose-
17 cutor or by the court to be false]; or
18 (d) [Material evidence adduced by the people at a trial] Evidence that
19 was likely relied upon by a fact finder resulting in the judgment at
20 trial or that was likely relied upon by any party as a basis for a plea
21 agreement was procured in violation of the [defendant's] applicant's
22 rights under the constitution of this state or of the United States; or
23 (e) During the proceedings resulting in the judgment, the [defendant]
24 applicant, by reason of mental disease or defect, was incapable of
25 understanding or participating in such proceedings; or
26 (f) Improper [and prejudicial] conduct not appearing in the record
27 occurred during a trial resulting in the judgment which conduct, if it
28 had appeared in the record, would have [required] made possible a
29 reversal of the judgment upon an appeal therefrom; or
30 (g) New evidence has been discovered [since the entry of a judgment
31 based upon a verdict of guilty after trial, which could not have been
32 produced by the defendant at the trial even with due diligence on his
33 part and which] or become available that, when viewed alone or with
34 other evidence, is of such character as to create a reasonable probabil-
35 ity that had such evidence been received at the trial or discovered
36 prior to trial or plea agreement that the verdict or plea would have
37 been more favorable to the [defendant; provided that a motion based upon
38 such ground must be made with due diligence after the discovery of such
39 alleged new evidence] applicant. Types of new evidence shall include,
40 but not be limited to newly available forensic evidence or evidence that
41 has either been repudiated by the expert who originally provided the
42 opinion at a hearing or trial or that has been undermined by later
43 scientific research or technological advances; or
44 (g-1) [Forensic DNA] In cases involving the forensic testing of
45 evidence performed since the entry of a judgment, [(1) in the case of a
46 defendant convicted after a guilty plea, the court has determined that
47 the defendant has demonstrated a substantial probability that the
48 defendant was actually innocent of the offense of which he or she was
49 convicted, or (2) in the case of a defendant convicted after a trial,]
50 the court has determined that there exists a reasonable probability that
51 the verdict or plea offer would have been more favorable to the [defend-
52 ant] applicant, or the applicant would have rejected the plea offer.
53 (h) The judgment was obtained in violation of a right of the [defend-
54 ant] applicant under the constitution of this state or of the United
55 States, including, but not limited to, a judgment entered, whether upon
56 trial or guilty plea, against an applicant who is actually innocent. An
S. 6319 3
1 applicant is actually innocent where the applicant proves by a prepon-
2 derance of the evidence that no reasonable jury of the applicant's peers
3 would have found the applicant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; or
4 (i) The judgment is a conviction where the [defendant's] applicant's
5 participation in the offense was a result of having been a victim of sex
6 trafficking under section 230.34 of the penal law, sex trafficking of a
7 child under section 230.34-a of the penal law, labor trafficking under
8 section 135.35 of the penal law, aggravated labor trafficking under
9 section 135.37 of the penal law, compelling prostitution under section
10 230.33 of the penal law, or trafficking in persons under the Trafficking
11 Victims Protection Act (United States Code, title 22, chapter 78);
12 provided that
13 (i) official documentation of the [defendant's] applicant's status as
14 a victim of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, aggravated labor traf-
15 ficking, compelling prostitution, or trafficking in persons at the time
16 of the offense from a federal, state or local government agency shall
17 create a presumption that the [defendant's] applicant's participation in
18 the offense was a result of having been a victim of sex trafficking,
19 labor trafficking, aggravated labor trafficking, compelling prostitution
20 or trafficking in persons, but shall not be required for granting a
21 motion under this paragraph;
22 (ii) a motion under this paragraph, and all pertinent papers and docu-
23 ments, shall be confidential and may not be made available to any person
24 or public or private [entity] agency except [where] when specifically
25 authorized by the court; and
26 (iii) when a motion is filed under this paragraph, the court may, upon
27 the consent of the petitioner and all of the involved state [and] or
28 local prosecutorial agencies [that prosecuted each matter], consolidate
29 into one proceeding a motion to vacate judgments imposed by distinct or
30 multiple criminal courts; or
31 (j) The judgment is a conviction for [a class A or unclassified] any
32 misdemeanor entered prior to the effective date of this paragraph and
33 satisfies the ground prescribed in paragraph (h) of this subdivision.
34 There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a conviction by plea to
35 such an offense was not knowing, voluntary and intelligent, based on
36 ongoing collateral consequences, including potential or actual immi-
37 gration consequences, and there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a
38 conviction by verdict constitutes cruel and unusual punishment under
39 section five of article one of the state constitution based on such
40 consequences; or
41 (k) The judgment occurred prior to the effective date of the laws of
42 two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-three that amended this paragraph and
43 is a conviction for an offense as defined in [subparagraphs] subpara-
44 graph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (k) of subdivision three of
45 section 160.50 of this part, or a misdemeanor under the former article
46 two hundred twenty-one of the penal law, in which case the court shall
47 presume that a conviction by plea for the aforementioned offenses was
48 not knowing, voluntary and intelligent if it has severe or ongoing
49 consequences, including but not limited to potential or actual immi-
50 gration consequences, and shall presume that a conviction by verdict for
51 the aforementioned offenses constitutes cruel and unusual punishment
52 under section five of article one of the state constitution, based on
53 those consequences. The people may rebut these presumptions[.]; or
54 (l) Any offense in the state of New York that an intermediate appel-
55 late court, court of appeals, or United States federal court with juris-
56 diction over New York state law issues has deemed in violation of the
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1 constitution of this state or of the United States, or any other right
2 under state or federal law.
3 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one, the court [must]
4 may deny a motion to vacate a judgment when:
5 (a) The ground or issue raised upon the motion was previously deter-
6 mined on the merits upon an appeal from the judgment, unless since the
7 time of such appellate determination there has been a retroactively
8 effective change in the law controlling such issue. However, if all of
9 the evidence currently before the court was not duly considered previ-
10 ously by the court, the court shall grant the motion or order the hear-
11 ing; or
12 (b) The judgment is, at the time of the motion, appealable or pending
13 on appeal, and sufficient facts appear on the record with respect to the
14 ground or issue raised upon the motion to permit adequate review thereof
15 upon such an appeal unless the issue raised upon such motion is ineffec-
16 tive assistance of counsel. This paragraph shall not apply to a motion
17 under paragraph (i), (j), (k) or (l) of subdivision one of this section;
18 or
19 (c) [Although sufficient facts appear on the record of the proceedings
20 underlying the judgment to have permitted, upon appeal from such judg-
21 ment, adequate review of the ground or issue raised upon the motion, no
22 such appellate review or determination occurred owing to the defendant's
23 unjustifiable failure to take or perfect an appeal during the prescribed
24 period or to his or her unjustifiable failure to raise such ground or
25 issue upon an appeal actually perfected by him or her unless the issue
26 raised upon such motion is ineffective assistance of counsel; or
27 (d)] The ground or issue raised relates solely to the validity of the
28 sentence and not to the validity of the conviction. In such case, the
29 court shall deem the motion to have been made pursuant to section 440.20
30 of this article.
31 [3. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one, the court may
32 deny a motion to vacate a judgment when:
33 (a) Although facts in support of the ground or issue raised upon the
34 motion could with due diligence by the defendant have readily been made
35 to appear on the record in a manner providing adequate basis for review
36 of such ground or issue upon an appeal from the judgment, the defendant
37 unjustifiably failed to adduce such matter prior to sentence and the
38 ground or issue in question was not subsequently determined upon appeal.
39 This paragraph does not apply to a motion based upon deprivation of the
40 right to counsel at the trial or upon failure of the trial court to
41 advise the defendant of such right, or to a motion under paragraph (i)
42 of subdivision one of this section; or
43 (b) The ground or issue raised upon the motion was previously deter-
44 mined on the merits upon a prior motion or proceeding in a court of this
45 state, other than an appeal from the judgment, or upon a motion or
46 proceeding in a federal court; unless since the time of such determi-
47 nation there has been a retroactively effective change in the law
48 controlling such issue; or
49 (c) Upon a previous motion made pursuant to this section, the defend-
50 ant was in a position adequately to raise the ground or issue underlying
51 the present motion but did not do so.]
52 (d) Although the court may deny the motion under any of the circum-
53 stances specified in this subdivision, in the interest of justice and
54 for good cause shown it may in its discretion grant the motion if it is
55 otherwise meritorious and vacate the judgment.
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1 [4.] 3. If the court grants the motion, it must, except as provided in
2 subdivision [five] four or [six] five of this section, vacate the judg-
3 ment, and must either:
4 (a) dismiss and seal the accusatory instrument, or
5 (b) order a new trial, or
6 (c) take such other action as is appropriate in the circumstances.
7 [5.] 4. Upon granting the motion upon the ground, as prescribed in
8 paragraph (g) of subdivision one, that newly discovered evidence creates
9 a probability that had such evidence been received at the trial the
10 verdict would have been more favorable to the [defendant] applicant in
11 that the conviction would have been for a lesser offense than the one
12 contained in the verdict, the court may either:
13 (a) Vacate the judgment and order a new trial; or
14 (b) With the consent of the people, modify the judgment by reducing it
15 to one of conviction for such lesser offense. In such case, the court
16 must re-sentence the [defendant] applicant accordingly.
17 [6.] 5. If the court grants a motion under [paragraph (i) or] para-
18 graph [(k)] (h), (i), (j), (k) or (l) of subdivision one of this
19 section, it must vacate the judgment [and] on the merits, dismiss the
20 accusatory instrument, seal the judgment, and may take such additional
21 action as is appropriate in the circumstances. [In the case of a motion
22 granted under paragraph (i) of subdivision one of this section, the
23 court must vacate the judgment on the merits because the defendant's
24 participation in the offense was a result of having been a victim of
25 trafficking.
26 7.] 6. Upon a new trial resulting from an order vacating a judgment
27 pursuant to this section, the indictment is deemed to contain all the
28 counts and to charge all the offenses which it contained and charged at
29 the time the previous trial was commenced, regardless of whether any
30 count was dismissed by the court in the course of such trial, except (a)
31 those upon or of which the [defendant] applicant was acquitted or deemed
32 to have been acquitted, and (b) those dismissed by the order vacating
33 the judgment, and (c) those previously dismissed by an appellate court
34 upon an appeal from the judgment, or by any court upon a previous post-
35 judgment motion.
36 [8.] 7. Upon an order which vacates a judgment based upon a plea of
37 guilty to an accusatory instrument or a part thereof, but which does not
38 dismiss the entire accusatory instrument, the criminal action is, in the
39 absence of an express direction to the contrary, restored to its
40 [prepleading] pre-pleading status and the accusatory instrument is
41 deemed to contain all the counts and to charge all the offenses which it
42 contained and charged at the time of the entry of the plea, except those
43 subsequently dismissed under circumstances specified in paragraphs (b)
44 and (c) of subdivision six. Where the plea of guilty was entered and
45 accepted, pursuant to subdivision three of section 220.30, upon the
46 condition that it constituted a complete disposition not only of the
47 accusatory instrument underlying the judgment vacated but also of one or
48 more other accusatory instruments against the [defendant] applicant then
49 pending in the same court, the order of vacation completely restores
50 such other accusatory instruments; and such is the case even though such
51 order dismisses the main accusatory instrument underlying the judgment.
52 [9.] 8. Upon granting of a motion pursuant to paragraph (j) of subdi-
53 vision one of this section, the court may either:
54 (a) With the consent of the people, vacate the judgment or modify the
55 judgment by reducing it to one of conviction for a lesser offense; or
S. 6319 6
1 (b) Vacate the judgment and order a new trial wherein the [defendant]
2 applicant enters a plea to the same offense in order to permit the court
3 to resentence the [defendant] applicant in accordance with the amendato-
4 ry provisions of subdivision one-a of section 70.15 of the penal law.
5 § 3. Section 440.20 of the criminal procedure law, subdivision 1 as
6 amended by chapter 1 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:
7 § 440.20 Motion to set aside sentence; by [defendant] applicant.
8 1. At any time after the entry of a judgment, the court in which the
9 judgment was entered may, upon motion of the [defendant] applicant, set
10 aside the sentence upon the ground that it was unauthorized, illegally
11 imposed, exceeded the maximum allowed by law, obtained or imposed in
12 violation of the defendant's constitutional rights, or was otherwise
13 invalid as a matter of law. Where the judgment includes a sentence of
14 death, the court may also set aside the sentence upon any of the grounds
15 set forth in paragraph (b), (c), (f), (g) or (h) of subdivision one of
16 section 440.10 as applied to a separate sentencing proceeding under
17 section 400.27, provided, however, that to the extent the ground or
18 grounds asserted include one or more of the aforesaid paragraphs of
19 subdivision one of section 440.10, the court must also apply [subdivi-
20 sions] subdivision two [and three] of section 440.10, other than para-
21 graph [(d)] (c) of [subdivision two of] such [section] subdivision, in
22 determining the motion. In the event the court enters an order granting
23 a motion to set aside a sentence of death under this section, the court
24 must either direct a new sentencing proceeding in accordance with
25 section 400.27 or, to the extent that the defendant cannot be resen-
26 tenced to death consistent with the laws of this state or the constitu-
27 tion of this state or of the United States, resentence the defendant to
28 life imprisonment without parole or to a sentence of imprisonment for
29 the class A-I felony of murder in the first degree other than a sentence
30 of life imprisonment without parole. Upon granting the motion upon any
31 of the grounds set forth in the aforesaid paragraphs of subdivision one
32 of section 440.10 and setting aside the sentence, the court must afford
33 the people a reasonable period of time, which shall not be less than ten
34 days, to determine whether to take an appeal from the order setting
35 aside the sentence of death. The taking of an appeal by the people stays
36 the effectiveness of that portion of the court's order that directs a
37 new sentencing proceeding.
38 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one, the court
39 [must] may deny such a motion when the ground or issue raised thereupon
40 was previously determined on the merits upon an appeal from the judgment
41 or sentence, unless since the time of such appellate determination there
42 has been a retroactively effective change in the law controlling such
43 issue. However, if all of the evidence currently before the court was
44 not duly considered previously by the court, the court shall not deny
45 the motion to vacate and instead shall order a hearing or grant the
46 motion. Even if the court has already considered all of the evidence
47 currently before the court, the court in the interest of justice and for
48 good cause shown may grant the motion if it is otherwise meritorious.
49 3. [Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one, the court may
50 deny such a motion when the ground or issue raised thereupon was previ-
51 ously determined on the merits upon a prior motion or proceeding in a
52 court of this state, other than an appeal from the judgment, or upon a
53 prior motion or proceeding in a federal court, unless since the time of
54 such determination there has been a retroactively effective change in
55 the law controlling such issue. Despite such determination, however,
S. 6319 7
1 the court in the interest of justice and for good cause shown, may in
2 its discretion grant the motion if it is otherwise meritorious.
3 4.] An order setting aside a sentence pursuant to this section does
4 not affect the validity or status of the underlying conviction, and
5 after entering such an order the court must resentence the [defendant]
6 applicant in accordance with the law.
7 § 4. Section 440.30 of the criminal procedure law, subdivisions 1 and
8 1-a as amended by chapter 19 of the laws of 2012 and the opening para-
9 graph of paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 as amended by section 10 of part
10 LLL of chapter 59 of the laws of 2019, is amended to read as follows:
11 § 440.30 Motion to vacate judgment and to set aside sentence; procedure.
12 1. [(a) A] An application for assignment of counsel for a motion to
13 vacate a judgment pursuant to section 440.10 or 440.11 of this article
14 and a motion to set aside a sentence pursuant to section 440.20 of this
15 article must be made in writing by a pro se applicant to the judge or
16 justice who imposed the original sentence and upon reasonable notice to
17 the people. [Upon the motion, a defendant]
18 (a) The court shall assign defense counsel in cases where there is a
19 colorable claim of relief according to this article, in accordance with
20 section seven hundred twenty-two of the county law. For the purpose of
21 this section, a colorable claim is a claim that, taking the facts
22 alleged in the application as true and viewed in a light most favorable
23 to the applicant, would entitle the applicant to relief.
24 (b) If the judge decides not to assign counsel, they shall state the
25 reasons for denying the request for assignment of counsel in writing.
26 (c) If, at the time of such applicant's request for assignment of
27 counsel, the original sentencing judge or justice no longer works in the
28 court in which the original sentence was imposed, then the request shall
29 be randomly assigned to another judge or justice of the court in which
30 the original sentence was imposed.
31 (d) Applicants already represented by counsel, either appointed pursu-
32 ant to section seven hundred twenty-two of the county law or otherwise
33 retained, are not required to file an application for assignment of
34 counsel.
35 2. Upon the request of the applicant or their defense counsel, the
36 court shall order:
37 (a) the people to make available a copy of its file of the case,
38 including any physical evidence in the people's possession and grand
39 jury minutes;
40 (b) the applicant's prior trial and appellate defense counsel to make
41 available their complete files relating to the case;
42 (c) court clerks and probation departments to make available the court
43 files or probation records relating to the case; and
44 (d) any law enforcement agency involved with the case to turn over its
45 files of the case, including police reports, witness statements,
46 evidence vouchers, or any other relevant records or evidence at its
47 disposal.
48 The court shall further ensure that any disclosure of evidence or
49 property ordered pursuant to this subdivision may be subject to a
50 protective order as defined in section 245.70 of this part, where appro-
51 priate.
52 Nothing in this section shall preclude the court from conducting an in
53 camera inspection of evidence and issuing a protective order pursuant to
54 section 245.70 of this part at the request of the prosecution or
55 defense.
S. 6319 8
1 3. (a) An applicant who is in a position adequately to raise more than
2 one ground should raise every such ground upon which [he or she intends]
3 they intend to challenge the judgment or sentence. If the motion is
4 based upon the existence or occurrence of facts, the motion papers
5 [must] may contain sworn allegations thereof, whether by the [defendant]
6 applicant or by another person or persons. Such sworn allegations may be
7 based upon personal knowledge of the affiant or upon information and
8 belief, provided that in the latter event the affiant must state the
9 sources of such information and the grounds of such belief. The [defend-
10 ant] applicant may further submit documentary evidence or information
11 supporting or tending to support the allegations of the moving papers.
12 (b) The people may file with the court, and in such case must serve a
13 copy thereof upon the [defendant] applicant or [his or her] their coun-
14 sel, if any, an answer denying or admitting any or all of the allega-
15 tions of the motion papers, and may further submit documentary evidence
16 or information refuting or tending to refute such allegations.
17 (c) After all papers of both parties have been filed, and after all
18 documentary evidence or information, if any, has been submitted, the
19 court must consider the same for the purpose of ascertaining whether the
20 motion is determinable without a hearing to resolve questions of fact.
21 [(b) In conjunction with the filing or consideration of a motion to
22 vacate a judgment pursuant to section 440.10 of this article by a
23 defendant convicted after a trial, in cases where the court has ordered
24 an evidentiary hearing upon such motion, the court may order that the
25 people produce or make available for inspection property in its
26 possession, custody, or control that was secured in connection with the
27 investigation or prosecution of the defendant upon credible allegations
28 by the defendant and a finding by the court that such property, if
29 obtained, would be probative to the determination of defendant's actual
30 innocence, and that the request is reasonable. The court shall deny or
31 limit such a request upon a finding that such a request, if granted,
32 would threaten the integrity or chain of custody of property or the
33 integrity of the processes or functions of a laboratory conducting DNA
34 testing, pose a risk of harm, intimidation, embarrassment, reprisal, or
35 other substantially negative consequences to any person, undermine the
36 proper functions of law enforcement including the confidentiality of
37 informants, or on the basis of any other factor identified by the court
38 in the interests of justice or public safety. The court shall further
39 ensure that any property produced pursuant to this paragraph is subject
40 to a protective order, where appropriate. The court shall deny any
41 request made pursuant to this paragraph where:
42 (i) (1) the defendant's motion pursuant to section 440.10 of this
43 article does not seek to demonstrate his or her actual innocence of the
44 offense or offenses of which he or she was convicted that are the
45 subject of the motion, or (2) the defendant has not presented credible
46 allegations and the court has not found that such property, if obtained,
47 would be probative to the determination of the defendant's actual inno-
48 cence and that the request is reasonable;
49 (ii) the defendant has made his or her motion after five years from
50 the date of the judgment of conviction; provided, however, that this
51 limitation period shall be tolled for five years if the defendant is in
52 custody in connection with the conviction that is the subject of his or
53 her motion, and provided further that, notwithstanding such limitation
54 periods, the court may consider the motion if the defendant has shown:
55 (A) that he or she has been pursuing his or her rights diligently and
56 that some extraordinary circumstance prevented the timely filing of the
S. 6319 9
1 motion; (B) that the facts upon which the motion is predicated were
2 unknown to the defendant or his or her attorney and could not have been
3 ascertained by the exercise of due diligence prior to the expiration of
4 the statute of limitations; or (C) considering all circumstances of the
5 case including but not limited to evidence of the defendant's guilt, the
6 impact of granting or denying such motion upon public confidence in the
7 criminal justice system, or upon the safety or welfare of the community,
8 and the defendant's diligence in seeking to obtain the requested proper-
9 ty or related relief, the interests of justice would be served by
10 considering the motion;
11 (iii) the defendant is challenging a judgment convicting him or her of
12 an offense that is not a felony defined in section 10.00 of the penal
13 law; or
14 (iv) upon a finding by the court that the property requested in this
15 motion would be available through other means through reasonable efforts
16 by the defendant to obtain such property.
17 1-a.] 4. (a) [(1)] Where the [defendant's] applicant's motion requests
18 the performance of a forensic DNA test on specified evidence, and upon
19 the court's determination that any evidence containing deoxyribonucleic
20 acid ("DNA") was secured in connection with the trial or the plea
21 resulting in the judgment, the court shall grant the application for
22 forensic DNA testing of such evidence upon its determination that [if a]
23 had the DNA test [had] results been [conducted on such evidence, and if
24 the results had been admitted in the trial resulting in the judgment,]
25 available at the time of trial or plea, there [exists] is a reasonable
26 probability that the verdict would have been more favorable to the
27 [defendant] applicant.
28 [(2) Where the defendant's motion for forensic DNA testing of speci-
29 fied evidence is made following a plea of guilty and entry of judgment
30 thereon convicting him or her of: (A) a homicide offense defined in
31 article one hundred twenty-five of the penal law, any felony sex offense
32 defined in article one hundred thirty of the penal law, a violent felony
33 offense as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision one of section 70.02
34 of the penal law, or (B) any other felony offense to which he or she
35 pled guilty after being charged in an indictment or information in supe-
36 rior court with one or more of the offenses listed in clause (A) of this
37 subparagraph, then the court shall grant such a motion upon its determi-
38 nation that evidence containing DNA was secured in connection with the
39 investigation or prosecution of the defendant, and if a DNA test had
40 been conducted on such evidence and the results had been known to the
41 parties prior to the entry of the defendant's plea and judgment thereon,
42 there exists a substantial probability that the evidence would have
43 established the defendant's actual innocence of the offense or offenses
44 that are the subject of the defendant's motion; provided, however, that:
45 (i) the court shall consider whether the defendant had the opportunity
46 to request such testing prior to entering a guilty plea, and, where it
47 finds that the defendant had such opportunity and unjustifiably failed
48 to do so, the court may deny such motion; and
49 (ii) a court shall deny the defendant's motion for forensic DNA test-
50 ing where the defendant has made his or her motion more than five years
51 after entry of the judgment of conviction; except that the limitation
52 period may be tolled if the defendant has shown: (A) that he or she has
53 been pursuing his or her rights diligently and that some extraordinary
54 circumstance prevented the timely filing of the motion for forensic DNA
55 testing; (B) that the facts upon which the motion is predicated were
56 unknown to the defendant or his or her attorney and could not have been
S. 6319 10
1 ascertained by the exercise of due diligence prior to the expiration of
2 this statute of limitations; or (C) considering all circumstances of the
3 case including but not limited to evidence of the defendant's guilt, the
4 impact of granting or denying such motion upon public confidence in the
5 criminal justice system, or upon the safety or welfare of the community,
6 and the defendant's diligence in seeking to obtain the requested proper-
7 ty or related relief, the interests of justice would be served by toll-
8 ing such limitation period.]
9 (b) Where the applicant's motion for relief requests the performance
10 of any other testing of forensic evidence or any physical evidence
11 secured in the case, the court shall grant the application for testing
12 of such evidence, upon its determination that had the results of testing
13 of forensic or other physical evidence been available at the time of
14 trial or plea, there is a reasonable probability that the verdict would
15 have been more favorable to the applicant.
16 (c) (i) In conjunction with the filing of a motion under this subdivi-
17 sion, the court may direct the people to provide the [defendant] appli-
18 cant and their counsel with information in the possession of the people
19 concerning the current physical location of the specified evidence and
20 if the specified evidence no longer exists or the physical location of
21 the specified evidence is unknown, a representation to that effect and
22 information and documentary evidence in the possession of the people
23 concerning the last known physical location of such specified evidence.
24 (ii) If there is a finding by the court that the specified evidence no
25 longer exists or the physical location of such specified evidence is
26 unknown, [such information in and of itself shall not be a factor from
27 which any inference unfavorable to the people may be drawn by the court
28 in deciding a motion under this section] the court may grant the appli-
29 cant's motion and vacate the judgment upon a finding by the court that
30 such evidence is unavailable due to malfeasance or neglect.
31 (iii) The court, on motion of the [defendant] applicant, may also
32 issue a subpoena duces tecum directing a public or private hospital,
33 laboratory or other entity to produce such specified evidence in its
34 possession and/or information and documentary evidence in its possession
35 concerning the location and status of such specified evidence.
36 [(c)] (d) In response to a motion under this paragraph, upon notice to
37 the parties and to the entity required to perform the search the court
38 may order an entity that has access to the combined DNA index system
39 ("CODIS") or its successor system to compare a DNA profile obtained from
40 probative biological material gathered in connection with the investi-
41 gation or prosecution of the [defendant] applicant against DNA databanks
42 by keyboard searches, or a similar method that does not involve upload-
43 ing, upon a court's determination that (1) such profile complies with
44 federal bureau of investigation or state requirements, whichever are
45 applicable and as such requirements are applied to law enforcement agen-
46 cies seeking such a comparison, and that the data meet state DNA index
47 system and/or national DNA index system criteria as such criteria are
48 applied to law enforcement agencies seeking such a comparison and (2) if
49 such comparison had been conducted, [and if the results had been admit-
50 ted in the trial resulting in the judgment,] a reasonable probability
51 exists that the verdict would have been more favorable to the [defend-
52 ant, or in a case involving a plea of guilty, if the results had been
53 available to the defendant prior to the plea, a reasonable probability
54 exists that the conviction would not have resulted] applicant. For
55 purposes of this subdivision, a "keyboard search" shall mean a search of
S. 6319 11
1 a DNA profile against the databank in which the profile that is searched
2 is not uploaded to or maintained in the databank.
3 [2. If it appears by conceded or uncontradicted allegations of the
4 moving papers or of the answer, or by unquestionable documentary proof,
5 that there are circumstances which require denial thereof pursuant to
6 subdivision two of section 440.10 or subdivision two of section 440.20,
7 the court must summarily deny the motion. If it appears that there are
8 circumstances authorizing, though not requiring, denial thereof pursuant
9 to subdivision three of section 440.10 or subdivision three of section
10 440.20, the court may in its discretion either (a) summarily deny the
11 motion, or (b) proceed to consider the merits thereof.]
12 [3.] 5. Upon considering the merits of the motion, the court must
13 grant it without conducting a hearing and vacate the judgment or set
14 aside the sentence, as the case may be, if:
15 (a) The moving papers allege a ground constituting legal basis for the
16 motion; and
17 (b) Such ground, if based upon the existence or occurrence of facts,
18 is supported by sworn allegations thereof; and
19 (c) The sworn allegations of fact essential to support the motion are
20 either conceded by the people to be true or are conclusively substanti-
21 ated by unquestionable documentary proof.
22 [4.] 6. Upon considering the merits of the motion, the court may deny
23 it without conducting a hearing if:
24 (a) The moving papers do not allege any ground constituting legal
25 basis for the motion; or
26 (b) [The motion is based upon the existence or occurrence of facts and
27 the moving papers do not contain sworn allegations substantiating or
28 tending to substantiate all the essential facts, as required by subdivi-
29 sion one; or
30 (c)] An allegation of fact essential to support the motion is conclu-
31 sively refuted by unquestionable documentary proof; or
32 [(d)] (c) An allegation of fact essential to support the motion (i) is
33 contradicted by a court record or other official document[, or is made
34 solely by the defendant and is unsupported by any other affidavit or
35 evidence,] and (ii) under these and all the other circumstances attend-
36 ing the case, there is no reasonable possibility that such allegation is
37 true.
38 [5.] 7. If the court does not determine the motion pursuant to [subdi-
39 visions two, three or four] subdivision five or six of this section, it
40 must conduct a hearing and make findings of fact essential to the deter-
41 mination thereof. The [defendant] applicant has a right to be present at
42 such hearing but may waive such right in writing. If [he] the applicant
43 does not so waive it and if [he is] they are confined in a prison or
44 other institution of this state, the court must cause [him] them to be
45 produced at such hearing.
46 [6.] 8. At such a hearing, the [defendant] applicant has the burden of
47 proving by a preponderance of the evidence every fact essential to
48 support the motion. At the hearing, either party shall receive a daily
49 copy of the hearing minutes, upon request.
50 [7.] 9. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, when the
51 applicant raises a colorable claim of relief pursuant to this article,
52 the court shall not summarily deny the motion on the ground that the
53 applicant previously moved for relief under this article.
54 10. Regardless of whether a hearing was conducted, the court, upon
55 determining the motion, must set forth on the record its findings of
56 fact, its conclusions of law and the reasons for its determination.
S. 6319 12
1 § 5. Subdivision 4 of section 450.10 of the criminal procedure law, as
2 amended by chapter 671 of the laws of 1971 and as renumbered by chapter
3 516 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
4 4. An order, entered pursuant to [section 440.40, setting aside a
5 sentence other than one of death, upon motion of the People] article
6 four hundred forty of this title, shall be authorized to an intermediate
7 appellate court as a matter of right.
8 § 6. Subdivision 5 of section 450.10 of the criminal procedure law is
9 REPEALED.
10 § 7. Section 216 of the judiciary law is amended by adding a new
11 subdivision 7 to read as follows:
12 7. The chief administrator of the courts shall collect data and report
13 every year in relation to applications and motions filed pursuant to
14 article four hundred forty of the criminal procedure law, broken down by
15 each section of such article to include motions filed pursuant to
16 sections 440.10, 440.20, 440.40, 440.46, 440.46-a, and 440.47 of the
17 criminal procedure law. Information to be collected and disclosed shall
18 include the raw number of both applications and/or motions filed in each
19 county and on appeal in each judicial department. Information shall
20 include the top conviction charge for each application or motion; when
21 pro se applicants request assignment of counsel pursuant to subdivision
22 two of section 440.30 of the criminal procedure law, whether or not
23 counsel was assigned; the outcome of each motion filed, whether denied
24 without hearing, denied with hearing, vacatur granted, or other; and the
25 average length of time motion under article four hundred forty of the
26 criminal procedure law remains pending for each county. Such report
27 shall aggregate the data collected by county and judicial department.
28 The data shall be aggregated in order to protect the identity of indi-
29 vidual applicants. The report shall be released publicly and published
30 on the websites of the office of court administration and the division
31 of criminal justice services. The first report shall be published twelve
32 months after this subdivision shall have become a law, and shall include
33 data from the first six months following the effective date of this
34 subdivision. Reports for subsequent periods shall be published annually
35 thereafter.
36 § 8. Severability. If any provision of this act, or any application of
37 any provision of this act, is held to be invalid, that shall not affect
38 the validity or effectiveness of any other provision of this act, or of
39 any other application of any provision of this act, which can be given
40 effect without that provision or application; and to that end, the
41 provisions and applications of this act are severable.
42 § 9. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
43 have become a law.
