A law that enhances the penalty for assaulting public servants will cover attacks on prosecutors under legislation signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo announced yesterday that he has signed a bill that makes it a felony to assault a prosecutor with the intent of interfering with the official's public duties by causing a physical injury.
The offense is currently a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, but it will become a Class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison when the new provision takes effect in six months. It is already a felony to assault police and peace officers, firefighters, train and bus operators and ticket takers, traffic enforcement officers, nurses and others. But prosecutors are not included in the current statute.
