How long does a Criminal Contempt case take in New York County?

The average case takes 3.6 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 New York County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. E Felony: 67.9% dismissal rate (3402 cases). A Misdemeanor: 76.6% dismissal rate (2762 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in New York County, NY — 71.9% Dismissed

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

Based on 6283 cases in New York County, 71.9% are dismissed, 28.0% result in conviction, and 0.1% end in acquittal. The average case takes 3.6 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

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

The dismissal rate is 71.9%, based on 6283 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 New York County?

49.9% of Criminal Contempt cases in New York County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Criminal contempt cases in New York County show a starkly different trajectory than the statewide pattern. With a 71.9% dismissal rate compared to 33% statewide, New York County dismisses criminal contempt charges at nearly triple the state average—a 38.9 percentage point gap that reflects how this charge is handled locally. Over the past six years, dismissals have grown from 62.7% to 78.5%, showing a clear upward trend. Convictions occur in only 28% of cases, making actual guilty verdicts uncommon for this charge in the county.

Among defendants who face trial, about half of all criminal contempt charges get reduced to lesser offenses before resolution. Disorderly conduct accounts for 61% of these reductions, with harassment making up another 30%. When convictions do occur, sentences are predominantly short—37.4% receive time served, while 23.6% serve jail time. The median bail is $5,000 for those held, though 42.6% are released on their own recognizance. Cases resolve in a median of 108 days, indicating relatively quick movement through the system.

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

71.9%

Dismissal Rate

28.0%

Conviction Rate

3.6 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

71.9%

28.0%

Dismissed 71.9% Convicted 28.0% Acquitted 0.1%

Source: 6,283 public court records, New York County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
E Felony	3,402	67.9%	32.0%
A Misdemeanor	2,762	76.6%	23.3%
B Misdemeanor	119	77.7%	22.3%

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 New York County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	1,161	62.7%	37.0%
2020	817	65.2%	34.8%
2021	945	73.7%	26.2%
2022	1,169	75.8%	24.1%
2023	1,045	75.2%	24.8%
2024	1,141	78.5%	21.5%

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 New York County are handled at arraignment.

42.6%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

27.8%

Bail Set

0.3%

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

49.9% of Criminal Contempt cases
in New York County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

413 cases (54.8%)

Criminal Contempt Harassment

206 cases (27.3%)

Criminal Contempt Other

58 cases (7.7%)

Criminal Contempt Assault

48 cases (6.4%)

Criminal Contempt Obstruction

29 cases (3.8%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Criminal Contempt convictions in New York County.

23.6%

Jail

2.7%

Probation

6.6%

State Prison

0.1%

Fine Only

37.4%

Time Served

49.9% of Criminal Contempt cases in New York County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a New York County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
Black	3,209	71.7%	28.1%
Hispanic	2,166	71.5%	28.5%
White	686	74.7%	25.2%
Asian	195	70.1%	29.9%
Native American	12	63.6%	36.4%

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 6,283 cases in New York County, 71.9% are dismissed, 28.0% result in conviction, and 0.1% end in acquittal. The average case takes 3.6 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in New York County is 71.9%, based on 6,283 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 New York County takes 3.6 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

42.6% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 27.8% have bail set, and 0.3% 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 New York County is 28.0%, based on 6,283 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.

49.9% of Criminal Contempt cases in New York County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

New York County has a 71.9% 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 New York County, 23.6% receive a jail sentence, 2.7% receive probation, and 6.6% 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. E Felony: 67.9% dismissal rate, 32.0% conviction rate (3,402 cases). A Misdemeanor: 76.6% dismissal rate, 23.3% conviction rate (2,762 cases). B Misdemeanor: 77.7% dismissal rate, 22.3% conviction rate (119 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. 6,283 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in New York County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com