New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 240.65 — Unlawful prevention of public access to records

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

Unlawful prevention of public access to records

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 240.65

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.

N.Y. Penal Law § 240.65Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

240.65 Unlawful prevention of public access to records. A person is guilty of unlawful prevention of public access to records when, with intent to prevent the public inspection of a record pursuant to article six of the public officers law, he willfully conceals or destroys any such record. Unlawful prevention of public access to records is a violation.

Official sources

Official OLLS publication (Title download)

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is unlawful prevention of public access to records a crime in New York?

Unlawful prevention of public access to records is a violation in New York, and a violation is not a crime under New York Penal Law § 10.00(6) — a conviction is a noncriminal disposition, not a criminal conviction. Unlawful prevention of public access to records is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.65.

Which New York statute covers unlawful prevention of public access to records?

Unlawful prevention of public access to records is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.65 (Unlawful prevention of public access to records).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.