Rallies to Push Sentencing Reform Bills on Nov. 17
Advocates plan noon rallies in eight New York areas to press for passage of three criminal justice bills.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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A criminal justice coalition will hold rallies at noon on Nov. 17 in eight New York areas to push sentencing reform legislation. The package includes the Second Look Act, Earned Time Act, and Marvin Mayfield Act.
Why it matters
The bills would give judges a way to revisit long sentences and would eliminate mandatory minimums, which advocates say give prosecutors undue leverage in plea negotiations. Supporters are seeking action at the state level in the 2027 legislative session.
The Second Look Act cleared the Senate Codes Committee but has been stalled in the Assembly Corrections Committee since 2025. The Second Look Act would apply to sentences of 10 years or longer, while the Marvin Mayfield Act would eliminate state mandatory minimums.
The players
Rowan Wilson
Rowan Wilson is the Chief Judge of New York, the highest judicial officer in the state, and has expressed support for sentencing reforms.
Joseph Zayas
Joseph Zayas is the Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, responsible for overseeing the state's court administration.
The details
Noon rallies are scheduled for Nov. 17 in New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Long Island, Westchester, Albany and Ithaca. New York Chief Judge Rowan Wilson and Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas have both voiced support for sentencing reforms.
Timeline
1970s: New York enacted strict mandatory minimum drug sentences.
2009: New York repealed some mandatory minimums for low-level drug offenses and some burglary.
2025: The Second Look Act stalled in the Assembly Corrections Committee.
Nov. 17, 2026: Rallies are held across eight New York areas.
2027: Advocates hope to pass reforms in the state legislative session.
Legal Context
The push follows New York's 2009 repeal of some mandatory minimums for low-level drug and burglary offenses. The current bills would extend that effort to broader sentencing rules that still shape a large share of arrests and convictions.
If passed, the bills could allow some people serving long sentences to seek reconsideration and would remove mandatory minimums that limit judicial discretion. Residents in the eight rally locations can attend the noon events on Nov. 17 to observe or take part.
The takeaway
Sentencing reform in New York depends on whether lawmakers move the Second Look Act out of committee before the 2027 session. Readers following the issue should watch Assembly action on the bill.
What happens next
Rallies are scheduled at noon on Nov. 17 in eight New York areas, and advocates are targeting the 2027 legislative session for passage.
Further reading
For more on the policy debate, see Criminal Justice coverage across New York.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AmNewYork.
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