New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 240.15 — Criminal anarchy
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 240: Offenses Against Public Order, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 240.15
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
240.15 Criminal anarchy.
A person is guilty of criminal anarchy when (a) he advocates the
overthrow of the existing form of government of this state by violence,
or (b) with knowledge of its contents, he publishes, sells or
distributes any document which advocates such violent overthrow, or (c)
with knowledge of its purpose, he becomes a member of any organization
which advocates such violent overthrow.
Criminal anarchy is a class E felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of felony is criminal anarchy in New York?
Criminal anarchy is a Class E Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 240.15.
Which New York statute covers criminal anarchy?
Criminal anarchy is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.15 (Criminal anarchy).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.