Drug Possession in Clinton County
407 cases · Clinton County Courts · DCJS Data
Drug possession cases in Clinton County end in conviction 93.5% of the time, substantially higher than the statewide average of 80% conviction rate. The county's dismissal rate of 6.2% trails the statewide average of 19% by nearly 13 percentage points, meaning these charges proceed to conviction far more often than typical. This pattern has remained consistent since 2019, with dismissals hovering between 4.3% and 4.5%. Among 407 cases, virtually no acquittals occur, indicating that cases rarely reach trial with acquittal as an outcome.
When defendants are released pretrial in Clinton County, nearly half receive release on their own recognizance, while roughly 14% have bail set at a median of $1,000. About one-third of drug possession charges get reduced to other offenses, most commonly disorderly conduct. Among those convicted, financial penalties dominate sentencing outcomes: nearly 40% receive fines as a sentence component. Jail time is the next most common outcome at 22.7%, while prison sentences are rare at 3.8%. The typical case resolves in approximately four months.
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
Case Outcomes
Source: 407 public court records, Clinton County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com
Outcomes by Charge Class
How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Drug Possession in Clinton County.
| Charge Class | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Misdemeanor | 367 | 7.0% | 92.7% |
| C Felony | 22 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| D Felony | 18 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
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 Clinton County have changed over time.
| Year | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 24 | 4.3% | 95.7% |
| 2020 | 25 | 0.0% | 100.0% |
| 2021 | 21 | 17.6% | 82.4% |
| 2022 | 49 | 2.5% | 97.5% |
| 2023 | 128 | 9.4% | 89.6% |
| 2024 | 160 | 4.5% | 95.5% |
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 Clinton County are handled at arraignment.
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
in Clinton County are reduced
Sentencing When Convicted
Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Drug Possession convictions in Clinton County.
36.6% of Drug Possession cases in Clinton County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.
Ask a Clinton County attorney — freeOutcomes by Demographics
Case outcome rates by race for Drug Possession in Clinton County. These statistics reflect systemic patterns and structural factors in the criminal justice system, not individual behavior.
| Race | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 359 | 5.1% | 94.6% |
| Black | 26 | 20.0% | 80.0% |
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.
Data source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data. 407 cases analyzed for Drug Possession in Clinton County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com
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