{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "65.20", "citation": "Penal Law § 65.20", "heading": "Sentence of unconditional discharge", "text": ["§ 65.20 Sentence of unconditional discharge.", "1. Criteria. The court may impose a sentence of unconditional discharge in any case where it is authorized to impose a sentence of conditional discharge under section 65.05 if the court is of the opinion that no proper purpose would be served by imposing any condition upon the defendant's release.", "When a sentence of unconditional discharge is imposed for a felony, the court shall set forth in the record the reasons for its action.", "2. Sentence. When the court imposes a sentence of unconditional discharge, the defendant shall be released with respect to the conviction for which the sentence is imposed without imprisonment, fine or probation supervision. A sentence of unconditional discharge is for all purposes a final judgment of conviction."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/65.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A court that could impose conditional discharge under **§ 65.05** may instead give an **unconditional discharge** when no release condition would serve a proper purpose. The defendant is released **without imprisonment, a fine, or probation supervision**, but the disposition remains a **final judgment of conviction**; for a felony, the court must state its reasons on the record. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/65.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}