{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "240.15", "citation": "Penal Law § 240.15", "heading": "Criminal anarchy", "text": ["§ 240.15 Criminal anarchy.", "A person is guilty of criminal anarchy when (a) he advocates the overthrow of the existing form of government of this state by violence, or (b) with knowledge of its contents, he publishes, sells or distributes any document which advocates such violent overthrow, or (c) with knowledge of its purpose, he becomes a member of any organization which advocates such violent overthrow.", "Criminal anarchy is a class E felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.15", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits criminal anarchy by (a) **advocating the violent overthrow** of New York's existing form of government, (b) knowing its contents, **publishing, selling, or distributing** a document advocating it, or (c) knowing its purpose, **becoming a member of an organization** advocating it. ★ The offense is a **class E felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/240.15", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}