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

The average case takes 4.7 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 Erie County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 52.7% dismissal rate (1647 cases). E Felony: 42.7% dismissal rate (1235 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in Erie County, NY — 48.3% Dismissed

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

Based on 2882 cases in Erie County, 48.3% are dismissed, 51.4% result in conviction, and 0.3% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.7 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

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

The dismissal rate is 48.3%, based on 2882 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 Erie County?

47.6% of Criminal Contempt cases in Erie County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Criminal contempt cases in Erie County are dismissed at a notably higher rate than the statewide average, with 48.3% of the 2,882 cases resulting in dismissal compared to 33% across New York. This 15-percentage-point difference suggests Erie County prosecutors or courts handle contempt charges more conservatively than their counterparts elsewhere in the state. The conviction rate sits at 51.4%, nearly matching the dismissal rate, while acquittals are virtually nonexistent at 0.3%. However, the trend is moving in the opposite direction of the dismissal advantage: dismissal rates have declined from 50.8% in 2019 to 47.5% in 2024, indicating a gradual shift toward more cases reaching conviction.

When criminal contempt cases proceed to conviction in Erie County, jail time is the most common outcome at 26.2%, followed by fines at 14.8% and probation at 11.5%. Nearly half of all cases—47.6%—see charges reduced before resolution, predominantly to harassment (61% of reductions) or disorderly conduct (35%). At the pretrial stage, 35.9% of defendants are released on their own recognizance while 41% have bail set at a median of $5,000. About one in seven defendants are remanded without bail. Cases typically take 142 days to

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

48.3%

Dismissal Rate

51.4%

Conviction Rate

4.7 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

48.3%

51.4%

Dismissed 48.3% Convicted 51.4% Acquitted 0.3%

Source: 2,882 public court records, Erie County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	1,647	52.7%	46.9%
E Felony	1,235	42.7%	57.1%

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 Erie County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	491	50.8%	48.7%
2020	504	45.7%	54.1%
2021	360	46.6%	53.4%
2022	321	47.2%	52.4%
2023	501	51.4%	47.8%
2024	701	47.5%	52.5%

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 Erie County are handled at arraignment.

35.9%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

41.0%

Bail Set

14.4%

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

47.6% of Criminal Contempt cases
in Erie County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Harassment

320 cases (59.1%)

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

184 cases (34.0%)

Criminal Contempt Criminal Trespass

21 cases (3.9%)

Criminal Contempt Assault

9 cases (1.7%)

Criminal Contempt Aggravated Harassment

7 cases (1.3%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

26.2%

Jail

11.5%

Probation

4.4%

State Prison

14.8%

Fine Only

7.5%

Time Served

47.6% of Criminal Contempt cases in Erie County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Erie County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

Case outcome rates by race for Criminal Contempt 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
White	1,307	44.7%	54.8%
Black	1,236	50.6%	49.2%
Hispanic	270	53.9%	46.1%
Asian	33	53.6%	46.4%
Native American	24	43.5%	56.5%

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 2,882 cases in Erie County, 48.3% are dismissed, 51.4% result in conviction, and 0.3% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.7 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in Erie County is 48.3%, based on 2,882 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 Erie County takes 4.7 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

35.9% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 41.0% have bail set, and 14.4% 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 Erie County is 51.4%, based on 2,882 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.

47.6% of Criminal Contempt cases in Erie County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Erie County has a 48.3% 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 Erie County, 26.2% receive a jail sentence, 11.5% receive probation, and 4.4% 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: 52.7% dismissal rate, 46.9% conviction rate (1,647 cases). E Felony: 42.7% dismissal rate, 57.1% conviction rate (1,235 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. 2,882 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in Erie County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com