Arraignment to Disposition: What to Expect in NY

If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges in New York, understanding the court process can reduce anxiety and help you prepare. This guide walks through each stage of a criminal case — from arrest to final disposition — with real data from 1280239 DCJS records.

Step 1: Arrest

A criminal case begins with an arrest by a law enforcement agency. New York has over 700 agencies making arrests across 62 counties, from NYPD precincts to small-town police departments. The arresting agency, charge severity, and county all influence what happens next.

See: Law enforcement agencies in our database

Step 2: Arraignment

Arraignment is your first court appearance, typically within 24 hours of arrest. At arraignment, the judge reads the charges, and the court makes a pretrial release decision: release on your own recognizance (ROR), set bail, or remand (hold without bail). New York's 2020 bail reform law significantly changed how these decisions are made.

See: How bail decisions vary across NY counties

Step 3: Pretrial Process

Between arraignment and disposition, your attorney negotiates with the prosecution, files motions, and evaluates the strength of the case. This is where plea bargaining occurs — many cases are resolved through a guilty plea to a lesser charge. The length of this stage varies enormously by charge type and county.

The average case takes 226 days from arraignment to disposition statewide. Felonies take significantly longer than misdemeanors.

See: Charge reduction patterns in NY courts

Step 4: Disposition

Disposition is the final outcome of a case. In our data, the main outcomes are:

• Dismissed: Charges are dropped or the case is terminated without a conviction
• Convicted: A guilty plea or guilty verdict at trial
• Acquitted: Found not guilty at trial
• YO Adjudication: Youthful Offender status granted (ages 16-18, record sealed)

Statewide, the overall dismissal rate is 52.7% and the conviction rate is 46.9%.

Step 5: Sentencing (If Convicted)

If convicted, the judge imposes a sentence. Common sentences include jail time, probation, fines, community service, or time served. Sentencing varies by charge class — A-I felonies carry mandatory minimums, while misdemeanors may result in conditional discharges.

What You Can Do

• Look up your charge: Visit the charges index to find dismissal rates for your specific charge and county.
• Understand your county: Visit the courts index to see how your county compares statewide.
• Find an attorney: Visit our legal guides for charge-specific information and resources.

Source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data (2019–2024). This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different — consult a licensed New York attorney for guidance on your situation.

Data source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com