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

The dismissal rate is 4.7%, based on 718 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 Ontario County?

The average case takes 5.4 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 Ontario County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. Unclassified Misdemeanor: 3.3% dismissal rate (488 cases). E Felony: 8.4% dismissal rate (192 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

DWI / DUI in Ontario County, NY — 4.7% Dismissed

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

The conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Ontario County is 93.8%, based on 718 cases from public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

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

1.4% of DWI / DUI cases in Ontario County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Traffic Offense.

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

Ontario County has a 4.7% 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.

DWI cases in Ontario County result in conviction in nearly 94 percent of prosecutions, slightly below the statewide dismissal rate of 5.1 percent. The county's 4.7 percent dismissal rate reflects how aggressively these charges are pursued locally—very few cases are dropped entirely. Over the past five years, dismissal rates have climbed from 1.2 percent to 7 percent, suggesting prosecutors or courts may be applying stricter screening standards or that defense challenges are becoming more effective. With 718 total cases, Ontario County's DWI docket is substantial and follows a clear conviction pattern.

Most defendants charged with DWI are released before trial without bail, with 85.2 percent receiving release on their own recognizance and only 1.7 percent remanded. When bail is set, the median amount is $750. Charge reductions are rare at 1.4 percent, and when they occur, they almost always result in a traffic offense rather than a downgrade to a lesser criminal charge. Defendants who are convicted face fines in six out of ten cases, probation in a quarter of convictions, and jail time in about one in ten—creating a pattern where financial penalties dominate the sentencing outcome.

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

4.7%

Dismissal Rate

93.8%

Conviction Rate

5.4 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

93.8%

Dismissed 4.7% Convicted 93.8% Acquitted 0.6%

Source: 718 public court records, Ontario County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
Unclassified Misdemeanor	488	3.3%	95.0%
E Felony	192	8.4%	90.1%
D Felony	37	2.9%	97.1%

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 Ontario County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	86	1.2%	93.0%
2020	84	3.7%	95.1%
2021	112	3.7%	96.3%
2022	90	1.1%	96.7%
2023	168	7.2%	92.2%
2024	173	7.0%	91.9%

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 Ontario County are handled at arraignment.

85.2%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

2.8%

Bail Set

1.7%

Remanded

$750

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

1.4% of DWI / DUI cases
in Ontario County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

DWI / DUI Traffic Offense

8 cases (88.9%)

DWI / DUI Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

1 cases (11.1%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

10.4%

Jail

24.9%

Probation

3.5%

State Prison

59.4%

Fine Only

0.8%

Time Served

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

Ask a Ontario 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. 1.4% of DWI cases in Ontario County see the charge reduced during this phase.
5.4 months (average) — Typical time to resolution in Ontario County. Some cases resolve faster, others take longer.

Outcomes by Demographics

Case outcome rates by race for DWI / DUI 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	560	4.9%	94.0%
Hispanic	84	3.6%	94.0%
Black	46	2.2%	95.6%
Other	17	11.8%	82.4%

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 718 cases in Ontario County, 4.7% are dismissed, 93.8% result in conviction, and 0.6% end in acquittal. The average case takes 5.4 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for DWI / DUI in Ontario County is 4.7%, based on 718 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 Ontario County takes 5.4 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

85.2% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 2.8% have bail set, and 1.7% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $750. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Ontario County is 93.8%, based on 718 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.

1.4% of DWI / DUI cases in Ontario County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Traffic Offense.

Ontario County has a 4.7% 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 Ontario County, 10.4% receive a jail sentence, 24.9% receive probation, and 3.5% 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: 3.3% dismissal rate, 95.0% conviction rate (488 cases). E Felony: 8.4% dismissal rate, 90.1% conviction rate (192 cases). D Felony: 2.9% dismissal rate, 97.1% conviction rate (37 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. 718 cases analyzed for DWI / DUI in Ontario County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com