What is the dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Erie County?

The dismissal rate is 32.4%, based on 4899 cases from public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice.

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

The average case takes 4.7 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 Erie County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 34.0% dismissal rate (3499 cases). D Felony: 28.5% dismissal rate (847 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Drug Possession in Erie County, NY — 32.4% Dismissed

Q: What are the case outcomes for Drug Possession in Erie County?

Based on 4899 cases in Erie County, 32.4% are dismissed, 67.4% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.7 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

Q: What is the conviction rate for Drug Possession in Erie County?

The conviction rate for Drug Possession in Erie County is 67.4%, based on 4899 cases from public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

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

79.5% of Drug Possession cases in Erie County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Q: How does Erie County compare to other counties for Drug Possession?

Erie County has a 32.4% dismissal rate for Drug Possession. Visit the Drug Possession overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all New York counties.

Drug possession cases in Erie County have a notably higher dismissal rate than the statewide average, with 32.4% of charges dismissed compared to 19% across the state—a 13.4 percentage point difference suggesting Erie County prosecutors or courts are more inclined to drop these cases. The conviction rate of 67.4% on the remaining cases is consistent with statewide patterns, though the dismissal trend has moved upward from 27.9% to 29.5% over the past five years, indicating prosecutors may be applying stricter screening or judges may be finding weaknesses in cases more frequently.

Almost 80% of drug possession charges in Erie County get reduced to lesser offenses before resolution, predominantly to disorderly conduct. Most defendants—61%—are released before trial without bail, while 23% have bail set at a median of $1,500. Among those convicted, the outcomes vary widely: roughly one-quarter receive fines, while jail, prison, probation, and time-served each account for 1-12% of sentences. The median time from charge to disposition is 142 days, meaning most cases resolve within roughly five 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

32.4%

Dismissal Rate

67.4%

Conviction Rate

4.7 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

32.4%

67.4%

Dismissed 32.4% Convicted 67.4% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 4,899 public court records, Erie County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	3,499	34.0%	66.0%
D Felony	847	28.5%	71.0%
C Felony	552	29.5%	70.2%

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 Erie County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	1,801	27.9%	72.0%
2020	600	45.1%	54.9%
2021	402	32.5%	67.5%
2022	313	39.6%	60.0%
2023	755	34.0%	66.0%
2024	988	29.5%	70.1%

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 Erie County are handled at arraignment.

61.0%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

23.3%

Bail Set

3.5%

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

79.5% of Drug Possession cases
in Erie County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Drug Possession Disorderly Conduct

1,911 cases (85.4%)

Drug Possession DWI / DUI

139 cases (6.2%)

Drug Possession Traffic Offense

117 cases (5.2%)

Drug Possession Petit Larceny

54 cases (2.4%)

Drug Possession Criminal Trespass

16 cases (0.7%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

12.0%

Jail

1.5%

Probation

1.4%

State Prison

24.9%

Fine Only

12.2%

Time Served

79.5% of Drug Possession cases in Erie County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Erie County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	2,489	31.1%	68.9%
Black	1,812	32.8%	66.9%
Hispanic	494	36.2%	63.6%
Native American	39	32.4%	67.6%
Asian	29	44.8%	55.2%

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 4,899 cases in Erie County, 32.4% are dismissed, 67.4% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.7 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Erie County is 32.4%, based on 4,899 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 Erie County takes 4.7 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

61.0% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 23.3% have bail set, and 3.5% 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 Drug Possession in Erie County is 67.4%, based on 4,899 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.

79.5% of Drug Possession cases in Erie County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Erie County has a 32.4% 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 Erie County, 12.0% receive a jail sentence, 1.5% receive probation, and 1.4% 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: 34.0% dismissal rate, 66.0% conviction rate (3,499 cases). D Felony: 28.5% dismissal rate, 71.0% conviction rate (847 cases). C Felony: 29.5% dismissal rate, 70.2% conviction rate (552 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. 4,899 cases analyzed for Drug Possession in Erie County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com