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

The average case takes 5.2 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 Ontario County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 13.2% dismissal rate (165 cases). D Felony: 0.0% dismissal rate (8 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Drug Possession in Ontario County, NY — 12.3% Dismissed

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

The dismissal rate is 12.3%, based on 176 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 Ontario County?

43.7% of Drug Possession cases in Ontario County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Drug possession cases in Ontario County result in conviction far more often than statewide, with an 87.1% conviction rate compared to a dismissal rate of 12.3%—6.7 percentage points below the state average. No defendants were acquitted in the 176 cases reviewed. Over the six-year period from 2019 to 2024, dismissals have trended downward, declining from 15.8% to 10.9%. This pattern suggests Ontario County prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively and judges rarely find insufficient evidence at trial.

Most defendants charged with drug possession in Ontario County are released before trial on their own recognizance (65.5%), though nearly one in five face bail set at a median of $150. Nearly 44% of cases see the charge reduced to a lesser offense, primarily to disorderly conduct (53.7% of reductions) or DWI/DUI (40.7%). Among those convicted, jail time is the most common outcome at 20.4%, followed by fines at 18.3%, though probation alone occurs in 14.8% of cases. Cases typically resolve in about 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

12.3%

Dismissal Rate

87.1%

Conviction Rate

5.2 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

12.3%

87.1%

Dismissed 12.3% Convicted 87.1% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 176 public court records, Ontario County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	165	13.2%	86.2%
D Felony	8	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 Ontario County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	39	15.8%	84.2%
2020	26	15.4%	80.8%
2021	12	16.7%	83.3%
2022	19	6.2%	93.8%
2023	26	8.3%	91.7%
2024	53	10.9%	89.1%

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 Ontario County are handled at arraignment.

65.5%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

19.9%

Bail Set

3.5%

Remanded

$150

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

43.7% of Drug Possession cases
in Ontario County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Drug Possession Disorderly Conduct

29 cases (50.0%)

Drug Possession DWI / DUI

22 cases (37.9%)

Drug Possession Official Misconduct

3 cases (5.2%)

Drug Possession Traffic Offense

2 cases (3.4%)

Drug Possession Marijuana Offense

2 cases (3.4%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

20.4%

Jail

14.8%

Probation

2.8%

State Prison

18.3%

Fine Only

7.7%

Time Served

43.7% of Drug Possession cases in Ontario County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Ontario County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	110	8.9%	91.1%
Black	38	16.7%	83.3%
Hispanic	23	14.3%	81.0%

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 176 cases in Ontario County, 12.3% are dismissed, 87.1% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 5.2 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Ontario County is 12.3%, based on 176 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 Ontario County takes 5.2 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

65.5% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 19.9% have bail set, and 3.5% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $150. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Drug Possession in Ontario County is 87.1%, based on 176 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.

43.7% of Drug Possession cases in Ontario County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Ontario County has a 12.3% 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 Ontario County, 20.4% receive a jail sentence, 14.8% receive probation, and 2.8% 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: 13.2% dismissal rate, 86.2% conviction rate (165 cases). D Felony: 0.0% dismissal rate, 100.0% conviction rate (8 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. 176 cases analyzed for Drug Possession in Ontario County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com