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

The average case takes 7.0 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 Suffolk County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 56.2% dismissal rate (6049 cases). E Felony: 37.4% dismissal rate (2437 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in Suffolk County, NY — 50.3% Dismissed

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

Based on 8502 cases in Suffolk County, 50.3% are dismissed, 49.3% result in conviction, and 0.2% end in acquittal. The average case takes 7.0 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

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

The dismissal rate is 50.3%, based on 8502 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 Suffolk County?

51.9% of Criminal Contempt cases in Suffolk County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Criminal contempt cases in Suffolk County are dismissed at rates substantially higher than the statewide average—50.3 percent versus 33 percent statewide. This 17-point gap suggests Suffolk County prosecutors or judges take a more skeptical view of contempt charges or that these cases involve weaker evidence. Over 8,500 cases processed since 2019, the conviction rate sits nearly even with dismissals at 49.3 percent, making outcomes genuinely uncertain. The trend shows dismissal rates declining slightly over six years, dropping from 52.7 to 50.2 percent, though the rate remains far above state norms.

Most defendants charged with criminal contempt in Suffolk County are released before trial: 53.1 percent receive release on their own recognizance, while 26.3 percent have bail set at a median of $5,000. When convictions occur, jail time is the dominant sentence at 25.8 percent, though over half of convicted defendants receive credit for time served rather than additional incarceration. Charge reductions occur in about half of all cases, with 89.8 percent of reductions downgrading to disorderly conduct—a substantially less serious charge—suggesting prosecutors frequently negotiate down these cases during pretrial proceedings.

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

50.3%

Dismissal Rate

49.3%

Conviction Rate

7.0 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

50.3%

49.3%

Dismissed 50.3% Convicted 49.3% Acquitted 0.2%

Source: 8,502 public court records, Suffolk County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	6,049	56.2%	43.4%
E Felony	2,437	37.4%	62.2%
B Misdemeanor	16	42.9%	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 Suffolk County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	1,397	52.7%	47.2%
2020	1,297	46.0%	53.9%
2021	1,392	56.4%	43.4%
2022	1,362	49.0%	50.2%
2023	1,651	47.5%	51.9%
2024	1,399	50.2%	49.5%

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 Suffolk County are handled at arraignment.

53.1%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

26.3%

Bail Set

0.4%

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

51.9% of Criminal Contempt cases
in Suffolk County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

1,329 cases (88.9%)

Criminal Contempt Harassment

143 cases (9.6%)

Criminal Contempt Other

8 cases (0.5%)

Criminal Contempt Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

8 cases (0.5%)

Criminal Contempt Strangulation

7 cases (0.5%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

25.8%

Jail

5.6%

Probation

0.9%

State Prison

2.9%

Fine Only

10.5%

Time Served

51.9% of Criminal Contempt cases in Suffolk County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Suffolk County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	4,339	50.1%	49.4%
Black	2,062	51.3%	48.5%
Hispanic	1,879	48.9%	51.0%
Other	85	50.8%	47.6%
Asian	55	67.4%	32.6%
Native American	13	45.5%	54.5%

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 8,502 cases in Suffolk County, 50.3% are dismissed, 49.3% result in conviction, and 0.2% end in acquittal. The average case takes 7.0 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in Suffolk County is 50.3%, based on 8,502 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 Suffolk County takes 7.0 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

53.1% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 26.3% have bail set, and 0.4% 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 Suffolk County is 49.3%, based on 8,502 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.

51.9% of Criminal Contempt cases in Suffolk County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Suffolk County has a 50.3% 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 Suffolk County, 25.8% receive a jail sentence, 5.6% receive probation, and 0.9% 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: 56.2% dismissal rate, 43.4% conviction rate (6,049 cases). E Felony: 37.4% dismissal rate, 62.2% conviction rate (2,437 cases). B Misdemeanor: 42.9% dismissal rate, 57.1% conviction rate (16 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. 8,502 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in Suffolk County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com