Statute · New York Penal Law
N.Y. Penal Law § 165.35 — Fortune telling
N.Y. Penal Law § 165.35
- Type
- Statute
- Source
- New York Penal Law
- Jurisdiction
- New York
- Current through
- Nov 4, 2026 (NY Senate Open Legislation)
§ 165.35 Fortune telling.
Citator
N.Y. Penal Law § 165.35 — Fortune telling is in force in the current edition of the Code, and nothing recorded condemns it.
§ 165.35 Fortune telling.
A person is guilty of fortune telling when, for a fee or compensation which he directly or indirectly solicits or receives, he claims or pretends to tell fortunes, or holds himself out as being able, by claimed or pretended use of occult powers, to answer questions or give advice on personal matters or to exorcise, influence or affect evil spirits or curses; except that this section does not apply to a person who engages in the aforedescribed conduct as part of a show or exhibition solely for the purpose of entertainment or amusement.
Fortune telling is a class B misdemeanor.