How Long Criminal Cases Take in New York Courts

According to 80,930 New York DCJS Pretrial Release Data records from 2019–2024, DWI / DUI cases across 61 New York counties have an average dismissal rate of 9.3% and an average conviction rate of 90.3%.

Disclaimer: This page provides statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws and penalties change — consult a licensed New York attorney and the New York Penal Law for current legal information. Past court outcomes do not predict future results.

One of the most common questions about criminal cases is how long they take to resolve. Our analysis of 1.18 million cases across 62 New York counties (DCJS pretrial release records, 2019-2024) provides data-driven answers — though the range of outcomes may be wider than expected.

Statewide Case Duration

Across all charge types and counties, the data shows:

The statewide average is approximately 188 days from arraignment to disposition
DWI cases average 164 days — slightly below the overall average
Drug possession cases average 150 days
Timelines vary substantially by charge type, charge severity, and county

Duration by Charge Type

Different charge categories move through the court system at different speeds. More serious charges generally take longer, but charge-specific factors — such as the complexity of evidence, the frequency of plea negotiations, and the availability of diversion programs — also influence timelines. Visit our charge statistics pages to see median days for specific offense categories.

County-Level Variation

Where a case is heard significantly affects how long it takes. For DWI alone, the median ranges from 105 days in Saratoga County to 266 days in Westchester County. Urban courts with higher caseloads sometimes — but not always — show longer timelines. Some suburban and exurban counties resolve cases faster than their urban counterparts.

What Affects Case Duration

When interpreting case timeline data, consider:

Charge severity — felonies generally take longer than misdemeanors
Court caseload and scheduling practices
Whether the case involves multiple charges or co-defendants
The pace of discovery and plea negotiations
Whether the defendant is in custody or released pretrial

Next Steps

For information about how long your case may take, consult a licensed New York attorney who practices in the relevant county. Explore our charge statistics pages or court pages for county-specific timeline data.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the charge and the county. Our data from 1.18M cases (2019-2024) shows a statewide average of 188 days from arraignment to disposition. DWI cases average 164 days, while drug possession cases average 150 days. Some counties resolve cases much faster than others.

More serious charges generally take longer. Our data shows that felony charges tend to have longer timelines than misdemeanors. Case duration also varies significantly by county — the same charge type may take weeks longer in one jurisdiction versus another.

Yes. Our data shows substantial county-level variation in case timelines. Urban counties with higher caseloads may have longer timelines than smaller jurisdictions, though this is not always the case. Explore our county pages for specific data.