Drug Sale in New York: What the Court Data Shows

According to 50,303 DCJS pretrial release records from 2019–2024, Drug Sale cases across 61 New York counties have an average dismissal rate of 32.2% and an average conviction rate of 67.5%.

Criminal sale of a controlled substance is among the more seriously charged drug offenses in New York. This page examines what DCJS pretrial release records (2019-2024) reveal about how drug sale cases are processed across 62 counties.

What Our Data Shows About Drug Sale Outcomes

Based on our analysis of drug sale cases across New York courts (DCJS pretrial release records, 2019-2024):

• Drug sale charges generally show different pretrial release patterns than drug possession charges
• Charge reduction rates for drug sale offenses vary across counties
• Bail and remand rates for drug sale charges tend to be higher than for possession-level offenses

View drug sale statistics across all New York counties

Variation Across New York

Drug sale case outcomes vary across New York's counties, reflecting differences in local enforcement priorities, prosecutorial practices, and available plea options. Urban counties may show different patterns from rural counties in how these cases are charged and resolved.

Pretrial Release Patterns

As felony-level offenses, drug sale charges typically carry higher bail and remand rates than possession charges. Our data tracks these pretrial release patterns across all 62 counties, showing how the severity of drug sale charges influences judicial decisions at arraignment. The interplay between bail reform and drug sale charges is visible in the data.

Understanding the Statistics

When reviewing drug sale data, keep in mind:

• Statistics reflect aggregate patterns from DCJS pretrial release records — individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case
• County-level differences may reflect local practices, caseload volumes, and available programs
• Data covers 2019-2024, a period that includes bail reform and its subsequent amendments

Next Steps

For information about drug sale laws and potential penalties, consult a licensed New York attorney or visit the New York Penal Law. To explore the data, view our drug sale statistics by county.