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

The average case takes 6.1 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 Tompkins County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 42.1% dismissal rate (213 cases). E Felony: 38.5% dismissal rate (70 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Criminal Contempt in Tompkins County, NY — 41.1% Dismissed

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

The dismissal rate is 41.1%, based on 283 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 Tompkins County?

22.0% of Criminal Contempt cases in Tompkins County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Criminal contempt cases in Tompkins County result in conviction 58.9 percent of the time, compared to a statewide dismissal rate of 33 percent. The county's 41.1 percent dismissal rate runs 8.1 percentage points higher than the state average, suggesting contempt charges face somewhat more favorable outcomes here than across New York. However, the trend has shifted sharply over the past six years: dismissal rates dropped from 46.2 percent in 2019 to just 20 percent in 2024, indicating prosecutors are securing convictions at a rising rate.

Among defendants charged with criminal contempt in Tompkins County, over half are released on their own recognizance before trial. Those who do post bail face a median amount of 1,500 dollars. About 22 percent of cases result in charge reductions, predominantly to harassment (63.2 percent of reductions) or disorderly conduct (31.6 percent). For defendants convicted, jail time is the most common sentence at 26.6 percent of convictions, followed closely by probation at 29.4 percent. Prison sentences occur in only 7.3 percent of contempt convictions.

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

41.1%

Dismissal Rate

58.9%

Conviction Rate

6.1 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

41.1%

58.9%

Dismissed 41.1% Convicted 58.9% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 283 public court records, Tompkins County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	213	42.1%	57.9%
E Felony	70	38.5%	61.5%

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 Tompkins County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	34	46.2%	53.8%
2020	36	45.2%	54.8%
2021	37	32.0%	68.0%
2022	49	55.2%	44.8%
2023	66	48.7%	51.3%
2024	61	20.0%	80.0%

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 Tompkins County are handled at arraignment.

51.6%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

31.8%

Bail Set

5.5%

Remanded

$1,500

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

22.0% of Criminal Contempt cases
in Tompkins County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Criminal Contempt Harassment

12 cases (57.1%)

Criminal Contempt Disorderly Conduct

6 cases (28.6%)

Criminal Contempt Traffic Offense

1 cases (4.8%)

Criminal Contempt Petit Larceny

1 cases (4.8%)

Criminal Contempt Other

1 cases (4.8%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

26.6%

Jail

29.4%

Probation

7.3%

State Prison

1.8%

Fine Only

3.7%

Time Served

22.0% of Criminal Contempt cases in Tompkins County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Tompkins County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	168	40.6%	59.4%
Black	74	43.1%	56.9%
Hispanic	30	35.0%	65.0%

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 283 cases in Tompkins County, 41.1% are dismissed, 58.9% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 6.1 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Criminal Contempt in Tompkins County is 41.1%, based on 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 Tompkins County takes 6.1 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

51.6% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 31.8% have bail set, and 5.5% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $1,500. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Criminal Contempt in Tompkins County is 58.9%, based on 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.

22.0% of Criminal Contempt cases in Tompkins County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Harassment.

Tompkins County has a 41.1% 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 Tompkins County, 26.6% receive a jail sentence, 29.4% receive probation, and 7.3% 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: 42.1% dismissal rate, 57.9% conviction rate (213 cases). E Felony: 38.5% dismissal rate, 61.5% conviction rate (70 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. 283 cases analyzed for Criminal Contempt in Tompkins County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com