Assault in Erie County
4,711 cases · Erie County Courts · DCJS Data
Assault cases in Erie County are dismissed at a dramatically higher rate than the state average, with 60.4% of the 4,711 cases ending in dismissal compared to just 29% statewide—a gap of 31.4 percentage points. Only 38.9% of cases result in conviction, and acquittals are rare at 0.4%. This pattern suggests Erie County prosecutors or courts handle assault charges more conservatively than the typical county, possibly due to evidentiary challenges, victim cooperation issues, or case screening practices. The dismissal trend has shifted slightly downward from 61% in 2019 to 57.4% in 2024, indicating somewhat stricter handling of these cases over time.
Most assault defendants in Erie County receive pretrial release: nearly half are released on their own recognizance, while 31.5% have bail set at a median of $5,000. About 15% are held without bail. When charges proceed, more than six in ten cases are reduced—overwhelmingly to Harassment (61.6% of all reductions). Among the small percentage convicted without reduction, sentences vary widely, with jail, prison, and probation each imposed in roughly 11-12% of convictions, and time-served accounting for another 7.6%.
Dismissal rate includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice. Conviction rate includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial. Avg duration measures arraignment to final disposition. Data sourced from New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data. Last updated: March 2026
Case Outcomes
Source: 4,711 public court records, Erie County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com
Outcomes by Charge Class
How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Assault in Erie County.
| Charge Class | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Misdemeanor | 2,442 | 72.3% | 27.5% |
| D Felony | 1,647 | 51.0% | 48.1% |
| B Felony | 257 | 29.2% | 67.6% |
| C Felony | 155 | 33.8% | 63.6% |
| B Misdemeanor | 142 | 60.5% | 38.8% |
| E Felony | 68 | 40.3% | 59.7% |
Charge class reflects the severity classification at arrest (e.g., A Felony is the most serious, B Misdemeanor the least). Outcomes vary by class due to differing prosecutorial priorities, plea bargaining patterns, and case complexity. Source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data.
Year-Over-Year Trends
How Assault outcomes in Erie County have changed over time.
| Year | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,026 | 61.0% | 38.3% |
| 2020 | 753 | 64.4% | 34.9% |
| 2021 | 641 | 59.8% | 39.6% |
| 2022 | 636 | 59.1% | 39.8% |
| 2023 | 813 | 60.8% | 38.6% |
| 2024 | 832 | 57.4% | 41.9% |
Year reflects arrest year from DCJS Pretrial Release Data. Case volumes may vary as more recent cases may still be pending disposition.
Pretrial Release
How defendants charged with Assault in Erie County are handled at arraignment.
Pretrial release data reflects arraignment outcomes under New York's bail reform laws. ROR = Released on Own Recognizance. Bail Set = cash bail or bond required. Remanded = held without bail.
Charge Reductions
in Erie County are reduced
Sentencing When Convicted
Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Assault convictions in Erie County.
61.6% of Assault cases in Erie County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.
Ask a Erie County attorney — freeOutcomes by Demographics
Case outcome rates by race for Assault in Erie County. These statistics reflect systemic patterns and structural factors in the criminal justice system, not individual behavior.
| Race | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 2,738 | 61.4% | 37.7% |
| White | 1,320 | 56.9% | 42.6% |
| Hispanic | 510 | 63.8% | 35.8% |
| Asian | 54 | 64.2% | 35.8% |
| Native American | 31 | 50.0% | 50.0% |
Disparities in case outcomes reflect well-documented systemic factors including policing patterns, socioeconomic inequality, and structural bias in the criminal justice system. These statistics should not be used to draw conclusions about any individual or group. Data sourced from DCJS Pretrial Release Data.
Common Questions
Statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Past outcomes do not predict future results. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your case.
Data source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data. 4,711 cases analyzed for Assault in Erie County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com
Next Step
You've seen how Assault cases play out in Erie County. Want to talk to an attorney who practices here? We'll make the introduction.