{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "240.77", "citation": "Penal Law § 240.77", "heading": "Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree", "text": ["§ 240.77 Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree.", "A person is guilty of directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree when he or she commits the crime of directing a laser at an aircraft in the second degree in violation of section 240.76 of this article and thereby causes a significant change of course or other serious disruption to the safe travel of an aircraft that threatens the physical safety of the aircraft's passengers or crew.", "Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree is a class E felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.77", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "Committing second-degree directing a laser at an aircraft under **§ 240.76** and thereby causing **a significant course change or other serious disruption threatening passenger or crew safety** is first-degree directing a laser at an aircraft, a **class E felony**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/240.77", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}