{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "490.25", "citation": "Penal Law § 490.25", "heading": "Crime of terrorism", "text": ["§ 490.25 Crime of terrorism.", "1. A person is guilty of a crime of terrorism when, with intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, he or she commits a specified offense.", "2. Sentencing.", "(a) When a person is convicted of a crime of terrorism pursuant to this section, and the specified offense is a class B, C, D or E felony offense, the crime of terrorism shall be deemed a violent felony offense.", "(b) When a person is convicted of a crime of terrorism pursuant to this section, and the specified offense is a class C, D or E felony offense, the crime of terrorism shall be deemed to be one category higher than the specified offense the defendant committed, or one category higher than the offense level applicable to the defendant's conviction for an attempt or conspiracy to commit the offense, whichever is applicable.", "(c) When a person is convicted of a crime of terrorism pursuant to this section, and the specified offense is a class B felony offense, the crime of terrorism shall be deemed a class A-I felony offense and the sentence imposed upon conviction of such offense shall be in accordance with section 70.00 of this chapter.", "(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a person is convicted of a crime of terrorism pursuant to this section, and the specified offense is a class A-I felony offense, the sentence upon conviction of such offense shall be life imprisonment without parole; provided, however, that nothing herein shall preclude or prevent a sentence of death when the specified offense is murder in the first degree as defined in section 125.27 of this chapter."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/490.25", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "- **(1)** A person **commits a crime of terrorism** by committing a **specified offense** with intent to **intimidate or coerce civilians**, **influence government policy by intimidation or coercion**, or **affect government conduct by murder, assassination, or kidnapping**. ★\n- **(2)(a)** If the specified offense is a **class B, C, D, or E felony**, the terrorism crime is treated as a **violent felony**.\n- **(2)(b)** A **class C, D, or E felony** is treated as **1 category higher**, including the applicable level for an attempt or conspiracy.\n- **(2)(c)** A **class B felony** becomes a **class A-I felony**, sentenced under **§ 70.00**.\n- **(2)(d)** A specified **class A-I felony** brings **life imprisonment without parole**, without preventing a death sentence when the specified offense is first-degree murder under **§ 125.27**. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/490.25", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}