How long does a Drug Possession case take in Cattaraugus County?

The average case takes 4.2 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 Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 2.7% dismissal rate (417 cases). D Felony: 16.7% dismissal rate (73 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County, NY — 5.5% Dismissed

Q: What is the dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County?

The dismissal rate is 5.5%, based on 509 cases from public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice.

Q: How often are Drug Possession charges reduced in Cattaraugus County?

60.1% of Drug Possession cases in Cattaraugus County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Drug possession cases in Cattaraugus County result in conviction at exceptionally high rates. The 94 percent conviction rate far exceeds the statewide average, while dismissals occur in only 5.5 percent of cases—13.5 percentage points below the statewide average of 19 percent. This pattern has intensified over time: dismissal rates fell from 9.6 percent in 2019 to 2.5 percent in 2024, suggesting prosecutors and courts have grown more aggressive in pursuing these charges. No acquittals were recorded across 509 cases, indicating that cases reaching trial result in conviction.

Most defendants are released pretrial, with roughly half receiving release on their own recognizance. When bail is set, the median amount is $250. Among those convicted, sentences emphasize financial penalties: 32.8 percent receive fines, while 14.5 percent serve jail time and 2.3 percent receive prison sentences. Notably, 60.1 percent of drug possession charges are reduced to lesser offenses before disposition, with disorderly conduct accounting for 84.3 percent of those reductions. This suggests prosecutors frequently downgrade cases rather than pursue them as originally charged, even as overall conviction rates remain very high.

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

5.5%

Dismissal Rate

94.0%

Conviction Rate

4.2 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

94.0%

Dismissed 5.5% Convicted 94.0% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 509 public court records, Cattaraugus County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County.

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	417	2.7%	96.7%
D Felony	73	16.7%	83.3%
C Felony	17	21.4%	78.6%

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 Drug Possession outcomes in Cattaraugus County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	81	9.6%	87.7%
2020	76	4.8%	95.2%
2021	72	8.6%	91.4%
2022	56	4.5%	95.5%
2023	127	4.1%	95.9%
2024	94	2.5%	97.5%

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 Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County are handled at arraignment.

50.7%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

13.7%

Bail Set

2.5%

Remanded

$250

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

60.1% of Drug Possession cases
in Cattaraugus County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Drug Possession Disorderly Conduct

167 cases (78.0%)

Drug Possession Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

16 cases (7.5%)

Drug Possession Drug Offense

15 cases (7.0%)

Drug Possession DWI / DUI

11 cases (5.1%)

Drug Possession Traffic Offense

5 cases (2.3%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Drug Possession convictions in Cattaraugus County.

14.5%

Jail

5.9%

Probation

2.3%

State Prison

32.8%

Fine Only

4.8%

Time Served

60.1% of Drug Possession cases in Cattaraugus County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Cattaraugus County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	391	4.3%	95.1%
Native American	62	6.7%	93.3%
Black	42	17.1%	82.9%
Hispanic	10	0.0%	100.0%

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 509 cases in Cattaraugus County, 5.5% are dismissed, 94.0% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.2 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County is 5.5%, based on 509 cases from public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and dismissals in the interest of justice.

The average Drug Possession case in Cattaraugus County takes 4.2 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

50.7% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 13.7% have bail set, and 2.5% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $250. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County is 94.0%, based on 509 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.

60.1% of Drug Possession cases in Cattaraugus County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Cattaraugus County has a 5.5% dismissal rate for Drug Possession cases. Outcomes can vary significantly across New York counties. View our Drug Possession overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all counties.

For those convicted of Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County, 14.5% receive a jail sentence, 5.9% receive probation, and 2.3% 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: 2.7% dismissal rate, 96.7% conviction rate (417 cases). D Felony: 16.7% dismissal rate, 83.3% conviction rate (73 cases). C Felony: 21.4% dismissal rate, 78.6% conviction rate (17 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. 509 cases analyzed for Drug Possession in Cattaraugus County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com