How long does a Criminal Contempt case take in St. Lawrence County?

The average case takes 5.8 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 St. Lawrence County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 31.6% dismissal rate (191 cases). E Felony: 10.1% dismissal rate (109 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in St. Lawrence County, NY — 20.6% Dismissed

Q: What is the dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in St. Lawrence County?

The dismissal rate is 20.6%, based on 300 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 St. Lawrence County?

21.3% of Criminal Contempt cases in St. Lawrence County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Criminal contempt cases in St. Lawrence County result in conviction in nearly four of five prosecutions, a notably higher rate than the statewide average. The county's 78.7% conviction rate contrasts sharply with a 20.6% dismissal rate that falls 12.4 percentage points below the statewide average of 33%. This gap suggests St. Lawrence County prosecutors pursue contempt charges more aggressively to completion. The trend is worth noting: dismissals have declined from 33.3% in 2019 to 11.9% in 2024, indicating that cases resolved in this county are increasingly resulting in convictions rather than dismissals.

About 42% of defendants obtain release on their own recognizance before trial, while 20% face bail—typically set at $500. When convicted, roughly one-third of defendants receive fines as their primary sentence, though jail time affects 23% and probation another 19%. Charge reductions occur in just over one-fifth of cases, predominantly to harassment or disorderly conduct, suggesting prosecutors sometimes downgrade contempt allegations but rarely abandon them entirely. Median disposition time of 175 days indicates these cases move through the system at a moderate pace.

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

20.6%

Dismissal Rate

78.7%

Conviction Rate

5.8 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

20.6%

78.7%

Dismissed 20.6% Convicted 78.7% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 300 public court records, St. Lawrence County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	191	31.6%	68.4%
E Felony	109	10.1%	88.6%

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 St. Lawrence County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	21	33.3%	66.7%
2020	38	44.4%	55.6%
2021	36	24.0%	76.0%
2022	45	15.4%	84.6%
2023	82	15.6%	84.4%
2024	78	11.9%	85.7%

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 St. Lawrence County are handled at arraignment.

42.4%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

19.7%

Bail Set

7.4%

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

21.3% of Criminal Contempt cases
in St. Lawrence County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Harassment

12 cases (48.0%)

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

10 cases (40.0%)

Criminal Contempt Strangulation

1 cases (4.0%)

Criminal Contempt Obstruction

1 cases (4.0%)

Criminal Contempt Endangering Welfare of a Child

1 cases (4.0%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Criminal Contempt convictions in St. Lawrence County.

23.0%

Jail

18.9%

Probation

8.2%

State Prison

31.1%

Fine Only

4.9%

Time Served

21.3% of Criminal Contempt cases in St. Lawrence County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a St. Lawrence County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	282	20.4%	79.6%
Black	11	33.3%	66.7%

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 300 cases in St. Lawrence County, 20.6% are dismissed, 78.7% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 5.8 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in St. Lawrence County is 20.6%, based on 300 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 St. Lawrence County takes 5.8 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

42.4% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 19.7% have bail set, and 7.4% 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 St. Lawrence County is 78.7%, based on 300 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.

21.3% of Criminal Contempt cases in St. Lawrence County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

St. Lawrence County has a 20.6% 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 St. Lawrence County, 23.0% receive a jail sentence, 18.9% receive probation, and 8.2% 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: 31.6% dismissal rate, 68.4% conviction rate (191 cases). E Felony: 10.1% dismissal rate, 88.6% conviction rate (109 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. 300 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in St. Lawrence County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com