How long does a Theft of Services case take in Niagara County?

The average case takes 6.1 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 Theft of Services in Niagara County?

Outcomes vary by charge class. E Felony: 28.9% dismissal rate (166 cases). A Misdemeanor: 48.3% dismissal rate (94 cases). Higher severity classes generally have different dismissal and conviction patterns.

Theft of Services in Niagara County, NY — 33.7% Dismissed

Q: What is the dismissal rate for Theft of Services in Niagara County?

The dismissal rate is 33.7%, based on 317 cases from public court records. This includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice.

Q: How often are Theft of Services charges reduced in Niagara County?

84.0% of Theft of Services cases in Niagara County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

In Niagara County, theft of services cases end in conviction roughly two-thirds of the time, a rate slightly higher than the statewide pattern. The 33.7 percent dismissal rate edges above the state average by 1.8 percentage points, yet the trend runs counter to that marginal advantage—dismissals have declined from 48.9 percent in 2019 to 34.6 percent in 2024, suggesting prosecutors are securing convictions on these charges with increasing consistency. No defendants have been acquitted in the 317 cases reviewed, meaning cases that don't end in conviction are dismissed rather than tried and lost.

Charge reductions are the dominant pathway through the system, occurring in 84 percent of cases. When defendants negotiate these charges down, disorderly conduct becomes the new charge in nearly two-thirds of reductions, with criminal possession of stolen property accounting for most of the remainder. At pretrial, most defendants secure release on their own recognizance (60.1 percent), though when bail is set the median is $260. Among those convicted, jail time is the most common sentence at 24.3 percent, followed by fines at 11 percent, while prison sentences are rare at 7.2 percent.

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

33.7%

Dismissal Rate

65.6%

Conviction Rate

6.1 months

Avg Duration

Case Outcomes

33.7%

65.6%

Dismissed 33.7% Convicted 65.6% Acquitted 0.0%

Source: 317 public court records, Niagara County Courts — NewYorkCourtFile.com

Outcomes by Charge Class

How outcomes differ by felony and misdemeanor classification for Theft of Services in Niagara County.

Charge Class	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
E Felony	166	28.9%	69.7%
A Misdemeanor	94	48.3%	51.7%
D Felony	55	21.3%	78.7%

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 Theft of Services outcomes in Niagara County have changed over time.

Year	Cases	Dismissal Rate	Conviction Rate
2019	48	48.9%	48.9%
2020	68	36.1%	63.9%
2021	36	30.0%	66.7%
2022	52	20.5%	79.5%
2023	55	29.5%	70.5%
2024	58	34.6%	65.4%

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 Theft of Services in Niagara County are handled at arraignment.

60.1%

Released on Recognizance (ROR)

19.2%

Bail Set

7.0%

Remanded

$260

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

84.0% of Theft of Services cases
in Niagara County are reduced

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

Most common reductions

Theft of Services Disorderly Conduct

81 cases (60.9%)

Theft of Services Criminal Possession of Stolen Property

40 cases (30.1%)

Theft of Services Traffic Offense

5 cases (3.8%)

Theft of Services Petit Larceny

4 cases (3.0%)

Theft of Services Harassment

3 cases (2.3%)

Sentencing When Convicted

Breakdown of sentencing outcomes for Theft of Services convictions in Niagara County.

24.3%

Jail

7.7%

Probation

7.2%

State Prison

11.0%

Fine Only

10.5%

Time Served

84.0% of Theft of Services 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 Theft of Services 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	153	29.1%	70.9%
Black	134	40.0%	58.3%
Hispanic	17	27.3%	72.7%

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 317 cases in Niagara County, 33.7% are dismissed, 65.6% result in conviction, and 0.0% end in acquittal. The average case takes 6.1 months from arraignment to resolution. Outcomes vary based on the specifics of each case.

The dismissal rate for Theft of Services in Niagara County is 33.7%, based on 317 cases from public court records. This includes cases dismissed by the court and dismissals in the interest of justice.

The average Theft of Services case in Niagara County takes 6.1 months. Duration depends on factors like whether the case goes to trial, plea negotiations, and court scheduling.

60.1% of defendants are released on their own recognizance (ROR), 19.2% have bail set, and 7.0% are remanded without bail. The median bail amount when set is $260. Pretrial release decisions are governed by New York's bail reform laws.

The conviction rate for Theft of Services in Niagara County is 65.6%, based on 317 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.

84.0% of Theft of Services cases in Niagara County result in conviction on a lesser charge. The most common reduction is to Disorderly Conduct.

Niagara County has a 33.7% dismissal rate for Theft of Services cases. Outcomes can vary significantly across New York counties. View our Theft of Services overview page to compare dismissal rates, conviction rates, and case timelines across all counties.

For those convicted of Theft of Services in Niagara County, 24.3% receive a jail sentence, 7.7% receive probation, and 7.2% 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. E Felony: 28.9% dismissal rate, 69.7% conviction rate (166 cases). A Misdemeanor: 48.3% dismissal rate, 51.7% conviction rate (94 cases). D Felony: 21.3% dismissal rate, 78.7% conviction rate (55 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. 317 cases analyzed for Theft of Services in Niagara County. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com