{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "175.25", "citation": "Penal Law § 175.25", "heading": "Tampering with public records in the first degree", "text": ["§ 175.25 Tampering with public records in the first degree.", "A person is guilty of tampering with public records in the first degree when, knowing that he does not have the authority of anyone entitled to grant it, and with intent to defraud, he knowingly removes, mutilates, destroys, conceals, makes a false entry in or falsely alters any record or other written instrument filed with, deposited in, or otherwise constituting a record of a public office or public servant.", "Tampering with public records in the first degree is a class D felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/175.25", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits first-degree tampering with public records by **knowingly removing, mutilating, destroying, hiding, falsely entering information in, or falsely altering a public-office or public-servant record**, knowing no authorized person granted permission and intending to defraud. ★ It is a **class D felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/175.25", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}