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

The average case takes 4.9 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 Steuben County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 29.9% dismissal rate (556 cases). D Felony: 28.6% dismissal rate (53 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Drug Possession in Steuben County, NY — 29.0% Dismissed

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

The dismissal rate is 29.0%, based on 624 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 Steuben County?

24.2% of Drug Possession cases in Steuben County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Drug possession cases in Steuben County are dismissed at substantially higher rates than the statewide average, with a 29% dismissal rate compared to 19% statewide—a 10-percentage-point gap. The 70.3% conviction rate reflects the remaining cases that proceed to verdict, with zero acquittals recorded among 624 total cases. Dismissals have trended upward over the past five years, rising from 21.3% in 2019 to 31% in 2024, suggesting the county is increasingly moving toward case reduction early in the process. Cases resolve in a median of 146 days.

Most defendants arrested for drug possession in Steuben County are released before trial, with 68.7% granted release on their own recognizance and only 1.5% remanded. When bail is set, the median amount is $100. Among cases that result in conviction, jail sentences are the most common outcome at 27%, while prison time is rare at 5%. Notably, nearly one-quarter of drug possession charges are reduced to lesser offenses, predominantly to disorderly conduct (64.6% of reductions), suggesting prosecutors frequently downgrade cases rather than proceed on the original charge.

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

29.0%

Dismissal Rate

70.3%

Conviction Rate

4.9 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

29.0%

70.3%

Dismissed 29.0% Convicted 70.3% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 624 public court records, Steuben County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	556	29.9%	69.6%
D Felony	53	28.6%	68.6%
C Felony	13	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 Steuben County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	112	21.3%	78.7%
2020	85	30.2%	69.8%
2021	129	31.4%	67.6%
2022	63	30.4%	69.6%
2023	118	30.4%	68.4%
2024	108	31.0%	69.0%

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 Drug Possession in Steuben County are handled at arraignment.

68.7%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

15.4%

Bail Set

1.5%

Remanded

$100

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

24.2% of Drug Possession cases
in Steuben County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Drug Possession Disorderly Conduct

31 cases (52.5%)

Drug Possession DWI / DUI

10 cases (16.9%)

Drug Possession Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

7 cases (11.9%)

Drug Possession Traffic Offense

6 cases (10.2%)

Drug Possession Drug Sale

5 cases (8.5%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

27.0%

Jail

10.2%

Probation

5.0%

State Prison

12.1%

Fine Only

1.6%

Time Served

24.2% of Drug Possession cases in Steuben County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Steuben County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	565	30.1%	69.2%
Black	34	12.0%	88.0%
Hispanic	15	25.0%	75.0%

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 624 cases in Steuben County, 29.0% are dismissed, 70.3% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.9 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Drug Possession in Steuben County is 29.0%, based on 624 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 Steuben County takes 4.9 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

68.7% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 15.4% have bail set, and 1.5% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $100. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Drug Possession in Steuben County is 70.3%, based on 624 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.

24.2% of Drug Possession cases in Steuben County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Steuben County has a 29.0% 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 Steuben County, 27.0% receive a jail sentence, 10.2% receive probation, and 5.0% 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: 29.9% dismissal rate, 69.6% conviction rate (556 cases). D Felony: 28.6% dismissal rate, 68.6% conviction rate (53 cases). C Felony: 0.0% dismissal rate, 100.0% conviction rate (13 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. 624 cases analyzed for Drug Possession in Steuben County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com