What is the dismissal rate for Obstruction in Niagara County?

The dismissal rate is 35.5%, based on 122 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 Niagara County?

The average case takes 4.5 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 Niagara County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. A Misdemeanor: 47.8% dismissal rate (55 cases). E Felony: 20.4% dismissal rate (54 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Obstruction in Niagara County, NY — 35.5% Dismissed

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

The conviction rate for Obstruction in Niagara County is 64.5%, based on 122 cases from public court records. This includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial.

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

56.5% of Obstruction cases in Niagara County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

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

Niagara County has a 35.5% 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 Niagara County are dismissed at a significantly higher rate than the statewide average—35.5% versus 21.3%, a difference of 14.2 percentage points. Despite this elevated dismissal rate, 64.5% of cases end in conviction. However, the trend is moving unfavorably: dismissals have declined from 38.5% in 2019 to 26.1% in 2024, suggesting prosecutors have become more successful in these cases over the past five years. The median time to resolution is 134.5 days, roughly four and a half months from charge to outcome.

Charge reduction is common in Niagara County obstruction cases, occurring in 56.5% of prosecutions. Most reduced charges become Disorderly Conduct (51.6% of all reductions), followed by Drug Possession and Criminal Contempt. Among defendants convicted, jail sentences are the most frequent outcome at 40.6%, while 13.0% receive time served. Pretrial, nearly half of defendants face bail requirements with a median amount of $1,000, while 29.9% are released on their own recognizance and 6.0% are remanded without bail.

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

35.5%

Dismissal Rate

64.5%

Conviction Rate

4.5 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

35.5%

64.5%

Dismissed 35.5% Convicted 64.5% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 122 public court records, Niagara County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

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

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
A Misdemeanor	55	47.8%	52.2%
E Felony	54	20.4%	79.6%
D Felony	13	50.0%	50.0%

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 Niagara County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	13	38.5%	61.5%
2021	7	28.6%	71.4%
2022	7	16.7%	83.3%
2023	66	43.4%	56.6%
2024	24	26.1%	73.9%

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 Obstruction in Niagara County are handled at arraignment.

29.9%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

48.7%

Bail Set

6.0%

Remanded

$1,000

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

56.5% of Obstruction cases
in Niagara County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Obstruction Disorderly Conduct

16 cases (45.7%)

Obstruction Drug Possession

10 cases (28.6%)

Obstruction Criminal Contempt

5 cases (14.3%)

Obstruction Official Misconduct

2 cases (5.7%)

Obstruction DWI / DUI

2 cases (5.7%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Obstruction convictions in Niagara County.

40.6%

Jail

10.1%

Probation

8.7%

State Prison

2.9%

Fine Only

13.0%

Time Served

56.5% of Obstruction cases in Niagara County are reduced to lesser charges. An attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

Ask a Niagara County attorney — free

Outcomes by Demographics

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

Race	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
White	64	24.1%	75.9%
Black	55	50.0%	50.0%

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 122 cases in Niagara County, 35.5% are dismissed, 64.5% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 4.5 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Obstruction in Niagara County is 35.5%, based on 122 cases from public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and dismissals in the interest of justice.

The average Obstruction case in Niagara County takes 4.5 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

29.9% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 48.7% have bail set, and 6.0% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $1,000. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Obstruction in Niagara County is 64.5%, based on 122 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.

56.5% of Obstruction cases in Niagara County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Niagara County has a 35.5% 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 Niagara County, 40.6% receive a jail sentence, 10.1% receive probation, and 8.7% 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. A Misdemeanor: 47.8% dismissal rate, 52.2% conviction rate (55 cases). E Felony: 20.4% dismissal rate, 79.6% conviction rate (54 cases). D Felony: 50.0% dismissal rate, 50.0% conviction rate (13 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. 122 cases analyzed for Obstruction in Niagara County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com