{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "240.65", "citation": "Penal Law § 240.65", "heading": "Unlawful prevention of public access to records", "text": ["§ 240.65 Unlawful prevention of public access to records.", "A person is guilty of unlawful prevention of public access to records when, with intent to prevent the public inspection of a record pursuant to article six of the public officers law, he willfully conceals or destroys any such record.", "Unlawful prevention of public access to records is a violation."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.65", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "**Willfully concealing or destroying a record to prevent public inspection under Public Officers Law article 6** is unlawful prevention of public access to records, a **violation**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/240.65", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}