Bill to End Intoxication Defense in Sex Crimes | Albany News

Albany News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 30, 2026 · 1m

New York lawmakers are poised to revive a long-stalled bill that would bar defendants from using a victim’s intoxication as a defense in sex crime cases, aiming to close a loophole that keeps cases from reaching trial. Though it passed the Senate, it never got a vote in the Assembly — but supporters are confident it’ll get traction next session. The bill doesn’t eliminate consent or guarantee convictions — juries still decide — but it ensures that when someone is incapacitated, their inability to consent can’t be dismissed as a legal excuse. Critics worry it might target consensual drinking…