Obstruction in New York County
1,034 cases · New York County Courts · DCJS Data
Obstruction charges in New York County are dismissed at a substantially higher rate than the statewide average, with 43.1% of cases dismissed compared to just 21.3% statewide—a gap of nearly 22 percentage points. This dismissal rate has also been rising consistently, climbing from 27.8% in 2019 to 45.7% in 2024. Among the 1,034 cases tracked, 56.9% resulted in conviction, while no acquittals were recorded. The median time from charge to case resolution is 159 days, and most cases proceed through the system without trial.
The high dismissal trend reflects aggressive charge reduction practices in the county. More than three-quarters of obstruction cases—76.7%—see charges reduced rather than prosecuted as charged, predominantly to disorderly conduct (46.1% of all reductions). For defendants convicted on obstruction charges, outcomes cluster at the lower end of penalties: nearly half receive time served, 13.5% receive jail sentences, and 8% receive prison time. Pretrial release is relatively accessible, with just 0.3% remanded and a median bail of $2,500 when bail is set.
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
Case Outcomes
Source: 1,034 public court records, New York County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com
Outcomes by Charge Class
How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Obstruction in New York County.
| Charge Class | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Felony | 747 | 40.6% | 59.4% |
| D Felony | 203 | 54.1% | 45.9% |
| A Misdemeanor | 80 | 40.3% | 59.7% |
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 New York County have changed over time.
| Year | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 219 | 27.8% | 72.2% |
| 2020 | 71 | 40.0% | 60.0% |
| 2021 | 162 | 46.7% | 53.3% |
| 2022 | 181 | 49.0% | 51.0% |
| 2023 | 184 | 52.1% | 47.9% |
| 2024 | 217 | 45.7% | 54.3% |
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 New York County are handled at arraignment.
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
in New York County are reduced
Sentencing When Convicted
Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Obstruction convictions in New York County.
76.7% of Obstruction cases in New York County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.
Ask a New York County attorney — freeOutcomes by Demographics
Case outcome rates by race for Obstruction in New York County. These statistics reflect systemic patterns and structural factors in the criminal justice system, not individual behavior.
| Race | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 575 | 41.9% | 58.1% |
| Hispanic | 307 | 43.1% | 56.9% |
| White | 123 | 45.6% | 54.4% |
| Asian | 20 | 65.0% | 35.0% |
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.
Data source: New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data. 1,034 cases analyzed for Obstruction in New York County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com
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