{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "1.05", "citation": "Penal Law § 1.05", "heading": "General purposes", "text": ["§ 1.05 General purposes.", "The general purposes of the provisions of this chapter are:", "1. To proscribe conduct which unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens substantial harm to individual or public interests;", "2. To give fair warning of the nature of the conduct proscribed and of the sentences authorized upon conviction;", "3. To define the act or omission and the accompanying mental state which constitute each offense;", "4. To differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor offenses and to prescribe proportionate penalties therefor;", "5. To provide for an appropriate public response to particular offenses, including consideration of the consequences of the offense for the victim, including the victim's family, and the community; and", "6. To insure the public safety by preventing the commission of offenses through the deterrent influence of the sentences authorized, the rehabilitation of those convicted, the promotion of their successful and productive reentry and reintegration into society, and their confinement when required in the interests of public protection."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/1.05", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "The Penal Law states what it is for:\n- **(1)** To forbid conduct that **unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens substantial harm** to people or the public.\n- **(2)** To give **fair warning** of what is forbidden and of the sentences that can follow.\n- **(3)** To define, for each offense, the **act or omission** and the **mental state** it requires. ★\n- **(4)** To separate **serious from minor offenses** and set **proportionate penalties**.\n- **(5)** To respond appropriately to offenses, considering the consequences for the **victim, the victim's family and the community**.\n- **(6)** To protect public safety through **deterrence, rehabilitation, successful reentry**, and **confinement** when public protection requires it.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/1.05", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}