New York Law Watch
Sex Offender Registration
Sex offender registration proceedings are filed here, including decisions reviewing risk levels, departures and the evidence supporting classification.
For Sex Offender Registration, Law Watch lists 22 indexable decisions dated July 24, 2026 to November 10, 2026 across 10 decision weeks.
24 decision records: 22 meet the substance floor; 2 records are held from search listings.
The records below come from 4 courts and include both primary and secondary area classifications.
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Recent decisions
- People v Canady2026 NY Slip Op 06556
The court affirmed the defendant’s designation as a level three sexually violent offender, rejecting the argument that age-based risk factors should be ignored based on scientific research. Although the lower court’s findings were insufficient, the upward departure was justified by the severity of the defendant’s conduct, including rape and murder.
- People v Lopez2026 NY Slip Op 06531
The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court’s decision to adjudicate the defendant a level two sexually violent offender, finding that the court providently exercised its discretion in denying a downward departure. The court determined that the mitigating factors cited by the defendant were adequately considered by the risk assessment instrument and did not warrant an exceptional response.
- People v Dreyer2026 NY Slip Op 06471
The County Court properly designated the defendant a level two sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act. The court affirmed the assessment of points for risk factors 5 and 7, finding that the People established the victims’ ages and the nature of the relationship by clear and convincing evidence.
- People v Lopez2026 NY Slip Op 06336
The appellate court affirmed the defendant’s designation as a level two sex offender, finding that his argument for a downward departure was unpreserved because he did not request it at the hearing. Additionally, the court determined that the defendant failed to establish that a downward departure was warranted based on the risk assessment points.
- People v Call2026 NY Slip Op 06335
The Appellate Division reversed the defendant’s designation as a level three sex offender and designated him a level two sex offender because the People failed to prove aggravating circumstances warranting an upward departure. The court affirmed the denial of the defendant’s application for a downward departure, finding that the substantial age disparity between the parties warranted maintaining the presumptive risk level.
- People v Silver2026 NY Slip Op 06220
The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court’s decision to adjudicate the defendant a level two sexually violent offender, finding that the court properly declined to grant a downward departure. The court determined that the risk assessment instrument adequately accounted for the defendant’s mitigating factors, which were outweighed by the egregiousness of the underlying child abuse offense.
- People v Sanchez2026 NY Slip Op 06152
The court affirmed the defendant’s level two sex offender designation and the denial of a downward departure, but modified the order to remove the sexually violent offender designation. The court found that the evidence sufficiently supported the risk assessment points and that the significant age disparity between the parties precluded a downward departure based on the victim’s lack of consent.
- People v Canty2026 NY Slip Op 06025
The Appellate Division affirmed the SORA court’s decision to adjudicate the defendant a level two sexually violent offender, finding no abuse of discretion in denying a downward departure. The court determined that the defendant’s treatment participation and other mitigating factors did not outweigh the egregiousness of the underlying offenses.