A New York appellate court has upheld a ruling that classifies Michael Grundman as a level two sex offender. This decision, made by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, has significant implications for Grundman and others in similar situations. The ruling affects how sex offenders are monitored and registered in the state.

The case, titled People v. Grundman, was decided on June 5, 2026, under docket number 506 KA 25-01756. The court's decision confirms the classification of Grundman under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). This classification means that Grundman will face specific registration requirements and monitoring due to the nature of his offenses.

Background

The parties in this case include the People of the State of New York as the respondent and Michael Grundman as the defendant-appellant. The dispute centers around Grundman's classification under SORA, which determines the level of risk a sex offender poses to the community.

In October 2025, the Jefferson County Court, presided over by Judge David A. Renzi, ruled that Grundman should be classified as a level two risk. This classification is based on various factors, including the nature of his offense and his behavior. Grundman appealed this decision, seeking to have his risk level reassessed.

The Ruling

The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the lower court's ruling without costs. The judges involved in the decision included Lindley, J.P., Montour, Ogden, Nowak, and Delconte. In their opinion, the court stated that the order appealed from is "unanimously affirmed without costs for reasons stated in the decision at County Court." This means that the appellate court found no errors in the lower court's judgment regarding Grundman's risk level.

The court's decision reinforces the criteria used to classify sex offenders under SORA. By upholding the level two classification, the court indicated that the lower court's assessment of Grundman's risk to the community was appropriate and justified.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for Michael Grundman and others classified under SORA. A level two classification means that Grundman will be subject to certain registration requirements, including regular check-ins with law enforcement and public notification of his status as a sex offender. This classification can affect various aspects of his life, including employment opportunities and housing.

The decision also reinforces the legal standards used to evaluate sex offenders in New York. By affirming the lower court's ruling, the Appellate Division has set a precedent for how similar cases may be handled in the future. This case highlights the importance of the risk assessment process under SORA and its impact on the lives of those classified as sex offenders.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Grundman plans to appeal this decision further. However, the ruling stands as a reminder of the ongoing legal challenges faced by individuals classified under sex offender laws. As of now, there are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the court opinion.