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

The average case takes 7.4 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 Cortland County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 27.5% dismissal rate (166 cases). E Felony: 17.5% dismissal rate (73 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in Cortland County, NY — 23.8% Dismissed

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

The dismissal rate is 23.8%, based on 239 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 Cortland County?

17.8% of Criminal Contempt cases in Cortland County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Criminal contempt cases in Cortland County result in conviction in three out of four cases, well above the statewide dismissal rate of 33 percent. Only about one-quarter of contempt charges are dismissed locally compared to one-third statewide, a gap that has widened since 2019 when dismissals were more frequent at 28 percent. The median time from charge to resolution is over seven months, suggesting these cases move through the system methodically rather than quickly.

Nearly half of defendants charged with contempt are released on their own recognizance, though about one-third receive bail set at a median of $500. When convictions occur, jail sentences are most common at 34 percent of outcomes, followed by probation at 27 percent. About one in five contempt charges are reduced to lesser offenses, predominantly to harassment or disorderly conduct, which may explain part of the gap between contempt charges filed and final convictions on that charge.

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

23.8%

Dismissal Rate

75.0%

Conviction Rate

7.4 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

23.8%

75.0%

Dismissed 23.8% Convicted 75.0% Acquitted 0.0% YO Adjudication 1.2%

Source: 239 public court records, Cortland County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	166	27.5%	71.6%
E Felony	73	17.5%	81.0%

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 Cortland County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	24	27.8%	72.2%
2020	25	10.0%	90.0%
2021	34	26.3%	68.4%
2022	40	20.0%	80.0%
2023	71	30.8%	67.3%
2024	45	21.2%	78.8%

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 Cortland County are handled at arraignment.

49.5%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

31.0%

Bail Set

5.7%

Remanded

$500

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

17.8% of Criminal Contempt cases
in Cortland County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Harassment

12 cases (54.5%)

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

7 cases (31.8%)

Criminal Contempt Strangulation

1 cases (4.5%)

Criminal Contempt Criminal Trespass

1 cases (4.5%)

Criminal Contempt Assault

1 cases (4.5%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

34.1%

Jail

27.1%

Probation

7.8%

State Prison

5.4%

Fine Only

5.4%

Time Served

23.8% of Criminal Contempt cases in Cortland County are dismissed. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Cortland County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	192	25.7%	74.3%
Black	36	16.0%	76.0%
Hispanic	11	14.3%	85.7%

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 239 cases in Cortland County, 23.8% are dismissed, 75.0% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 7.4 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in Cortland County is 23.8%, based on 239 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 Cortland County takes 7.4 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

49.5% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 31.0% have bail set, and 5.7% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $500. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Criminal Contempt in Cortland County is 75.0%, based on 239 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.

17.8% of Criminal Contempt cases in Cortland County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Cortland County has a 23.8% 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 Cortland County, 34.1% receive a jail sentence, 27.1% receive probation, and 7.8% 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: 27.5% dismissal rate, 71.6% conviction rate (166 cases). E Felony: 17.5% dismissal rate, 81.0% conviction rate (73 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. 239 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in Cortland County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com