What is the dismissal rate for DWI / DUI in Cortland County?

The dismissal rate is 3.5%, based on 464 cases from public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice.

How long does a DWI / DUI case take in Cortland County?

The average case takes 4.4 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 DWI / DUI in Cortland County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. Unclassified Misdemeanor: 3.8% dismissal rate (397 cases). E Felony: 1.8% dismissal rate (59 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

DWI / DUI in Cortland County, NY — 3.5% Dismissed

Q: What is the conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Cortland County?

The conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Cortland County is 96.5%, based on 464 cases from public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

Q: How often are DWI / DUI charges reduced in Cortland County?

4.5% of DWI / DUI cases in Cortland County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Traffic Offense.

Q: How does Cortland County compare to other counties for DWI / DUI?

Cortland County has a 3.5% dismissal rate for DWI / DUI. Visit the DWI / DUI overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all New York counties.

In Cortland County, DWI/DUI defendants face a 96.5% conviction rate, markedly higher than the statewide average dismissal rate of 5.1%. Only 3.5% of the 464 cases studied resulted in dismissal, trailing the state by 1.6 percentage points. This suggests Cortland County prosecutes DWI charges aggressively and successfully. However, dismissal rates have risen since 2019, climbing from 3.0% to 5.3% by 2024, indicating a modest shift toward more favorable outcomes for defendants in recent years. Cases resolve in a median of 132 days.

Most defendants secure pretrial release without bail: 85.9% are released on their own recognizance. When convicted, nearly three-quarters face fines, while probation is imposed in roughly one in five cases. Jail sentences are rare at 6.3%, and prison time is nearly nonexistent at 0.5%. About 4.5% of charges are reduced, with 45% dropping to traffic offenses and 40% reduced to unlicensed operation charges, providing some defendants a path to lesser consequences.

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

3.5%

Dismissal Rate

96.5%

Conviction Rate

4.4 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

96.5%

Dismissed 3.5% Convicted 96.5% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 464 public court records, Cortland County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for DWI / DUI in Cortland County.

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
Unclassified Misdemeanor	397	3.8%	96.2%
E Felony	59	1.8%	98.2%
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 DWI / DUI outcomes in Cortland County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	101	3.0%	97.0%
2020	45	2.3%	97.7%
2021	60	6.8%	93.2%
2022	77	4.0%	96.0%
2023	83	0.0%	100.0%
2024	96	5.3%	94.7%

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 DWI / DUI in Cortland County are handled at arraignment.

85.9%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

1.4%

Bail Set

1.6%

Remanded

$375

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

4.5% of DWI / DUI cases
in Cortland County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

DWI / DUI Traffic Offense

9 cases (45.0%)

DWI / DUI Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

8 cases (40.0%)

DWI / DUI Reckless Endangerment

3 cases (15.0%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for DWI / DUI convictions in Cortland County.

6.3%

Jail

18.6%

Probation

0.5%

State Prison

73.2%

Fine Only

0.7%

Time Served

See what the data means for your DWI / DUI case in Cortland County. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Cortland County attorney — free

Where you are in the process

Within 24 hours of arrest — In New York, you are typically arraigned within 24 hours. The judge will set bail conditions or release you.
First 2 weeks — Your attorney files motions and requests discovery. If bail was set, this is when you arrange payment or challenge conditions.
1-4 months — Pre-trial period. Negotiation between your attorney and the prosecutor. 4.5% of DWI cases in Cortland County see the charge reduced during this phase.
4.4 months (average) — Typical time to resolution in Cortland County. Some cases resolve faster, others take longer.

Outcomes by Demographics

Case outcome rates by race for DWI / DUI in Cortland County. These statistics reflect systemic patterns and structural factors in the criminal justice system, not individual behavior.

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	388	3.4%	96.6%
Black	42	2.4%	97.6%
Hispanic	22	4.8%	95.2%

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 464 cases in Cortland County, 3.5% are dismissed, 96.5% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.4 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for DWI / DUI in Cortland County is 3.5%, based on 464 cases from public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and dismissals in the interest of justice.

The average DWI / DUI case in Cortland County takes 4.4 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

85.9% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 1.4% have bail set, and 1.6% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $375. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Cortland County is 96.5%, based on 464 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.

4.5% of DWI / DUI cases in Cortland County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Traffic Offense.

Cortland County has a 3.5% dismissal rate for DWI / DUI cases. Outcomes can vary significantly across New York counties. View our DWI / DUI overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all counties.

For those convicted of DWI / DUI in Cortland County, 6.3% receive a jail sentence, 18.6% receive probation, and 0.5% 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. Unclassified Misdemeanor: 3.8% dismissal rate, 96.2% conviction rate (397 cases). E Felony: 1.8% dismissal rate, 98.2% conviction rate (59 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. 464 cases analyzed for DWI / DUI in Cortland County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com