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

The dismissal rate is 4.3%, based on 10270 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 Suffolk County?

The average case takes 9.3 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 Suffolk County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. Unclassified Misdemeanor: 4.6% dismissal rate (8587 cases). E Felony: 2.3% dismissal rate (1455 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

DWI / DUI in Suffolk County, NY — 4.3% Dismissed

Q: What are the case outcomes for DWI / DUI in Suffolk County?

Based on 10270 cases in Suffolk County, 4.3% are dismissed, 95.4% result in conviction, and 0.2% end in acquittal. The average case takes 9.3 months. Individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

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

The conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Suffolk County is 95.4%, based on 10270 cases from public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

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

5.9% of DWI / DUI cases in Suffolk County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Traffic Offense.

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

Suffolk County has a 4.3% 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 Suffolk County, DWI defendants face a conviction rate of 95.4 percent across 10,270 cases—substantially higher than the statewide average and leaving little room for acquittal at 0.2 percent. Dismissals occur in just 4.3 percent of cases, slightly below the statewide rate of 5.1 percent. This gap has widened over time: dismissal rates have declined from 5.7 percent in 2019 to 4.0 percent in 2024, suggesting prosecutors or courts are handling these charges with increasing strictness in the county. The median case takes 278 days to resolve.

Most defendants receive pretrial release without bail, with 86.8 percent released on their own recognizance. When bail is set, the median amount is $2,500. Among convicted defendants, fines are the dominant sentence at 78.6 percent, while jail time occurs in 5 percent of cases and probation in 14.1 percent. Only 5.9 percent of charges are reduced before conviction, with traffic offenses accounting for 88.1 percent of those reductions, suggesting the prosecution rarely downgrades DWI charges to less serious crimes.

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

4.3%

Dismissal Rate

95.4%

Conviction Rate

9.3 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

95.4%

Dismissed 4.3% Convicted 95.4% Acquitted 0.2%

Source: 10,270 public court records, Suffolk County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
Unclassified Misdemeanor	8,587	4.6%	95.0%
E Felony	1,455	2.3%	97.5%
D Felony	219	4.6%	94.9%
B Misdemeanor	6	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 Suffolk County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	2,119	5.7%	93.9%
2020	1,389	8.9%	91.0%
2021	1,652	2.7%	96.7%
2022	1,539	2.8%	96.8%
2023	1,963	2.2%	97.6%
2024	1,565	4.0%	95.8%

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 Suffolk County are handled at arraignment.

86.8%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

5.0%

Bail Set

0.2%

Remanded

$2,500

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

5.9% of DWI / DUI cases
in Suffolk County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

DWI / DUI Traffic Offense

466 cases (84.7%)

DWI / DUI Assault

39 cases (7.1%)

DWI / DUI Homicide

24 cases (4.4%)

DWI / DUI Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

12 cases (2.2%)

DWI / DUI Disorderly Conduct

9 cases (1.6%)

Sentencing When Convicted

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

5.0%

Jail

14.1%

Probation

0.6%

State Prison

78.6%

Fine Only

0.7%

Time Served

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

Ask a Suffolk 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. 5.9% of DWI cases in Suffolk County see the charge reduced during this phase.
9.3 months (average) — Typical time to resolution in Suffolk County. Some cases resolve faster, others take longer.

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	4,515	5.4%	94.2%
Hispanic	4,367	2.5%	97.1%
Black	1,064	6.4%	93.3%
Other	137	4.4%	95.6%
Asian	87	9.3%	90.7%
Native American	24	0.0%	100.0%

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 10,270 cases in Suffolk County, 4.3% are dismissed, 95.4% result in conviction, and 0.2% end in acquittal. The average case takes 9.3 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for DWI / DUI in Suffolk County is 4.3%, based on 10,270 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 Suffolk County takes 9.3 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

86.8% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 5.0% have bail set, and 0.2% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $2,500. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for DWI / DUI in Suffolk County is 95.4%, based on 10,270 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.

5.9% of DWI / DUI cases in Suffolk County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Traffic Offense.

Suffolk County has a 4.3% 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 Suffolk County, 5.0% receive a jail sentence, 14.1% receive probation, and 0.6% 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: 4.6% dismissal rate, 95.0% conviction rate (8,587 cases). E Felony: 2.3% dismissal rate, 97.5% conviction rate (1,455 cases). D Felony: 4.6% dismissal rate, 94.9% conviction rate (219 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. 10,270 cases analyzed for DWI / DUI in Suffolk County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com