What is the dismissal rate for Obstruction in Erie County?

The dismissal rate is 35.6%, based on 303 cases from public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice.

How long does a Obstruction case take in Erie 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 Obstruction in Erie County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. D Felony: 41.9% dismissal rate (154 cases). E Felony: 27.1% dismissal rate (129 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Obstruction in Erie County, NY — 35.6% Dismissed

Q: What is the conviction rate for Obstruction in Erie County?

The conviction rate for Obstruction in Erie County is 64.4%, based on 303 cases from public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

Q: How often are Obstruction charges reduced in Erie County?

86.5% of Obstruction cases in Erie County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Criminal Contempt.

Q: How does Erie County compare to other counties for Obstruction?

Erie County has a 35.6% dismissal rate for Obstruction. Visit the Obstruction overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all New York counties.

Obstruction cases in Erie County are dismissed at a significantly higher rate than the statewide average, with 35.6 percent of the 303 cases ending in dismissal compared to just 21.3 percent statewide—a gap of 14.3 percentage points. However, this advantage has been shrinking. Dismissal rates declined from 41.8 percent in 2019 to 23 percent in 2024, suggesting prosecutors have tightened their approach to these charges over the past five years. The 64.4 percent conviction rate means most defendants who reach trial are found guilty, and no acquittals were recorded in the dataset, indicating that cases surviving pretrial screening tend to result in conviction.

Charge reduction is the dominant outcome in Erie County obstruction cases, occurring in 86.5 percent of cases. Nearly half of those reductions downgrade to Criminal Contempt, while 39.6 percent drop to Disorderly Conduct. For defendants convicted on the original charge, jail sentences are most common at 27.6 percent, though 10.4 percent receive credit for time already served. At pretrial, 45.5 percent face bail (median $5,000) while 25.7 percent are released on their own recognizance and 22.9 percent are remanded. The median time from charge to

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

35.6%

Dismissal Rate

64.4%

Conviction Rate

4.9 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

35.6%

64.4%

Dismissed 35.6% Convicted 64.4% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 303 public court records, Erie County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Obstruction in Erie County.

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
D Felony	154	41.9%	58.1%
E Felony	129	27.1%	72.9%
A Misdemeanor	20	40.0%	60.0%

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 Obstruction outcomes in Erie County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	61	41.8%	58.2%
2020	52	55.8%	44.2%
2021	34	33.3%	66.7%
2022	28	28.6%	71.4%
2023	52	31.0%	69.0%
2024	75	23.0%	77.0%

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 Obstruction in Erie County are handled at arraignment.

25.7%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

45.5%

Bail Set

22.9%

Remanded

$5,000

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

86.5% of Obstruction cases
in Erie County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Obstruction Criminal Contempt

49 cases (39.8%)

Obstruction Disorderly Conduct

42 cases (34.1%)

Obstruction Harassment

15 cases (12.2%)

Obstruction Drug Possession

13 cases (10.6%)

Obstruction Traffic Offense

4 cases (3.3%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Obstruction convictions in Erie County.

27.6%

Jail

9.8%

Probation

13.5%

State Prison

7.4%

Fine Only

10.4%

Time Served

86.5% of Obstruction cases in Erie County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Erie County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
Black	162	40.7%	59.3%
White	103	29.8%	70.2%
Hispanic	22	42.1%	57.9%

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 303 cases in Erie County, 35.6% are dismissed, 64.4% 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 Obstruction in Erie County is 35.6%, based on 303 cases from public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and dismissals in the interest of justice.

The average Obstruction case in Erie County takes 4.9 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

25.7% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 45.5% have bail set, and 22.9% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $5,000. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Obstruction in Erie County is 64.4%, based on 303 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.

86.5% of Obstruction cases in Erie County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Criminal Contempt.

Erie County has a 35.6% dismissal rate for Obstruction cases. Outcomes can vary significantly across New York counties. View our Obstruction overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all counties.

For those convicted of Obstruction in Erie County, 27.6% receive a jail sentence, 9.8% receive probation, and 13.5% 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. D Felony: 41.9% dismissal rate, 58.1% conviction rate (154 cases). E Felony: 27.1% dismissal rate, 72.9% conviction rate (129 cases). A Misdemeanor: 40.0% dismissal rate, 60.0% conviction rate (20 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. 303 cases analyzed for Obstruction in Erie County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com