N.Y. Penal Law Section 240.31
Aggravated harassment in the first degree


A person is guilty of aggravated harassment in the first degree when with intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm another person, because of a belief or perception regarding such person’s race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation, regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct, he or she:

1.

Damages premises primarily used for religious purposes, or acquired pursuant to section six of the religious corporation law and maintained for purposes of religious instruction, and the damage to the premises exceeds fifty dollars; or

2.

Commits the crime of aggravated harassment in the second degree in the manner proscribed by the provisions of subdivision three of section 240.30 of this article and has been previously convicted of the crime of aggravated harassment in the second degree for the commission of conduct proscribed by the provisions of subdivision three of section 240.30 or he or she has been previously convicted of the crime of aggravated harassment in the first degree within the preceding ten years; or

3.

Etches, paints, draws upon or otherwise places a swastika, commonly exhibited as the emblem of Nazi Germany, on any building or other real property, public or private, owned by any person, firm or corporation or any public agency or instrumentality, without express permission of the owner or operator of such building or real property;

4.

Sets on fire a cross in public view; or

5.

Etches, paints, draws upon or otherwise places or displays a noose, commonly exhibited as a symbol of racism and intimidation, on any building or other real property, public or private, owned by any person, firm or corporation or any public agency or instrumentality, without express permission of the owner or operator of such building or real property. Aggravated harassment in the first degree is a class E felony.

Source: Section 240.31 — Aggravated harassment in the first degree, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.­31 (updated Nov. 8, 2019; accessed Apr. 20, 2024).

240.00
Offenses against public order
240.05
Riot in the second degree
240.06
Riot in the first degree
240.08
Inciting to riot
240.10
Unlawful assembly
240.15
Criminal anarchy
240.20
Disorderly conduct
240.21
Disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service
240.25
Harassment in the first degree
240.26
Harassment in the second degree
240.30
Aggravated harassment in the second degree
240.31
Aggravated harassment in the first degree
240.32
Aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual
240.35
Loitering
240.36
Loitering in the first degree
240.40
Appearance in public under the influence of narcotics or a drug other than alcohol
240.45
Criminal nuisance in the second degree
240.46
Criminal nuisance in the first degree
240.48
Disseminating a false registered sex offender notice
240.50
Falsely reporting an incident in the third degree
240.55
Falsely reporting an incident in the second degree
240.60
Falsely reporting an incident in the first degree
240.61
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the second degree
240.62
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in the first degree
240.63
Placing a false bomb or hazardous substance in a sports stadium or arena, mass transportation facility or enclosed shopping mall
240.65
Unlawful prevention of public access to records
240.70
Criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the second degree
240.71
Criminal interference with health care services or religious worship in the first degree
240.72
Aggravated interference with health care services in the second degree
240.73
Aggravated interference with health care services in the first degree
240.75
Aggravated family offense
240.76
Directing a laser at an aircraft in the second degree
240.77
Directing a laser at an aircraft in the first degree
240.78
Making a threat of mass harm
240.79
Aggravated threat of mass harm

Accessed:
Apr. 20, 2024

Last modified:
Nov. 8, 2019

§ 240.31’s source at nysenate​.gov

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