How long does a Criminal Contempt case take in Albany County?

The average case takes 4.2 months from arraignment to disposition. Duration depends on factors specific to each case including whether bail is set and plea negotiations.

How do outcomes vary by charge class for Criminal Contempt in Albany County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 44.6% dismissal rate (788 cases). E Felony: 29.4% dismissal rate (515 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in Albany County, NY — 38.2% Dismissed

Q: What are the case outcomes for Criminal Contempt in Albany County?

Based on 1304 cases in Albany County, 38.2% are dismissed, 61.5% result in conviction, and 0.1% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.2 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

Q: What is the dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in Albany County?

The dismissal rate is 38.2%, based on 1304 cases from public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice.

Q: How often are Criminal Contempt charges reduced in Albany County?

49.5% of Criminal Contempt cases in Albany County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Criminal contempt cases in Albany County result in conviction about 62 percent of the time, with a dismissal rate of 38 percent that runs notably higher than the statewide average of 33 percent. This 5-point advantage suggests Albany County prosecutors or judges are more inclined to dismiss these charges than counterparts elsewhere. However, the trend is moving in the opposite direction: dismissals have dropped from 38 percent in 2019 to 28 percent in 2024, indicating contempt charges are being treated more seriously over time. Nearly half of all cases—about 50 percent—see the original charge reduced to a lesser offense, primarily disorderly conduct or harassment.

Most defendants facing criminal contempt in Albany County are released before trial, with roughly 31 percent released on their own recognizance and another 26 percent granted bail with a median amount of $5,000. About 8 percent remain detained. Among those convicted, fines are the most common sentence at 22 percent of cases, followed by jail time in about 15 percent and probation in 10 percent. Prison sentences are rare at under 2 percent. The typical case moves to disposition in about four months.

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

38.2%

Dismissal Rate

61.5%

Conviction Rate

4.2 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

38.2%

61.5%

Dismissed 38.2% Convicted 61.5% Acquitted 0.1%

Source: 1,304 public court records, Albany County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Criminal Contempt in Albany County.

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	788	44.6%	55.0%
E Felony	515	29.4%	70.4%

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 Criminal Contempt outcomes in Albany County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	172	37.7%	62.3%
2020	153	43.6%	55.5%
2021	219	29.6%	69.7%
2022	198	44.4%	54.9%
2023	311	44.7%	55.3%
2024	250	28.3%	71.7%

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 Criminal Contempt in Albany County are handled at arraignment.

30.5%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

25.7%

Bail Set

8.2%

Remanded

$5,000

Median Bail Amount

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

49.5% of Criminal Contempt cases
in Albany County are reduced

Defendants were convicted on a lesser charge than their original arrest charge.

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

149 cases (53.6%)

Criminal Contempt Harassment

119 cases (42.8%)

Criminal Contempt Assault

5 cases (1.8%)

Criminal Contempt Other

3 cases (1.1%)

Criminal Contempt Drug Possession

2 cases (0.7%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Criminal Contempt convictions in Albany County.

14.8%

Jail

10.3%

Probation

1.6%

State Prison

21.9%

Fine Only

11.4%

Time Served

49.5% of Criminal Contempt cases in Albany County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Albany County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

Case outcome rates by race for Criminal Contempt in Albany County. These statistics reflect systemic patterns and structural factors in the criminal justice system, not individual behavior.

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
Black	599	37.7%	61.8%
White	558	38.8%	61.0%
Hispanic	112	40.4%	59.6%
Other	19	29.4%	70.6%
Asian	12	22.2%	77.8%

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.

Based on 1,304 cases in Albany County, 38.2% are dismissed, 61.5% result in conviction, and 0.1% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.2 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in Albany County is 38.2%, based on 1,304 cases from public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and dismissals in the interest of justice.

The average Criminal Contempt case in Albany County takes 4.2 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

30.5% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 25.7% have bail set, and 8.2% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $5,000. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Criminal Contempt in Albany County is 61.5%, based on 1,304 cases from public court records. This includes both guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed New York attorney.

49.5% of Criminal Contempt cases in Albany County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Albany County has a 38.2% dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt cases. Outcomes can vary significantly across New York counties. View our Criminal Contempt overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all counties.

For those convicted of Criminal Contempt in Albany County, 14.8% receive a jail sentence, 10.3% receive probation, and 1.6% are sentenced to state prison. Actual sentences depend on the specifics of each case. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance on your situation.

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 44.6% dismissal rate, 55.0% conviction rate (788 cases). E Felony: 29.4% dismissal rate, 70.4% conviction rate (515 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns due to prosecutorial priorities and plea bargaining dynamics.

Data source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data. 1,304 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in Albany County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com