Bill > S07173

This bill amends the New York Criminal Procedure Law to require the return of fines, restitution, and reparation payments to a defendant who has been pardoned or had their conviction overturned under specific circumstances. If a defendant is pardoned based on innocence or has their conviction reversed or vacated under certain legal grounds—such as constitutional violations, errors in the original trial, or dismissal of charges—the bill mandates that all monetary payments and associated interest must be returned to the defendant within 90 days of the pardon, reversal, or vacatur. The bill also requires that the return of funds be accompanied by a comprehensive accounting that details the money's origin, including records from involved state agencies, courts, prosecutors' offices, and restitution agencies. This legislation aims to provide financial restitution to individuals who have been wrongfully convicted or punished, ensuring they can recover monetary losses resulting from an unjust legal process.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7173