The Son of Sam Law in New York states that the first $1,000 deposited in an inmate account is immune from any judgment obtained by a crime victim under the law. It also explains that the statute may continue to apply after release, including during parole or post-release supervision, and in some circumstances for three years after completion of the maximum term or discharge from parole. These rules address both small, protected amounts and post-release timing.
For example, an inmate with $1,000 in an account may have that amount protected in addition to any separate compensatory-damages protection. This can matter at times when a victim obtains a judgment and seeks to collect from available funds. The protection is limited, but it is meaningful for basic account balances.
Another example involves a person who settles a lawsuit two years after completing the sentence, where the right to sue accrued while the sentence was still running. The law indicates that such funds may still need to be reported during the three-year post-sentence period. By contrast, a later inheritance that did not accrue during the sentence may be treated differently.
The potential outcome depends on the timing of the funds, the status of supervision, and whether the right to payment accrued before the sentence ended. For questions about how these rules may affect a specific case, call Weber & Prakope, PLLC at (516) 452-9010 or initiate a chat at www.weberprakope.com.
