Traffic Offense in New York: What the Court Data Shows

According to 2,189 DCJS pretrial release records from 2019–2024, Traffic Offense cases across 12 New York counties have an average dismissal rate of 49.0% and an average conviction rate of 50.8%.

Traffic offenses that appear in criminal court records in New York include charges beyond simple violations, such as reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. This page examines what DCJS pretrial release records (2019-2024) reveal about criminal traffic offense case patterns.

What Our Data Shows About Traffic Offense Outcomes

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

• Criminal-level traffic offenses show pretrial release patterns distinct from non-criminal traffic violations
• Charge reduction rates for traffic offenses vary across counties
• The data captures how traffic offenses that enter the criminal court system are processed at arraignment

View traffic offense statistics across all New York counties

Variation Across New York

Criminal traffic offense outcomes vary across New York's counties. The data shows geographic differences in what types of traffic-related charges enter the criminal court system and how they are resolved. Rural counties with different enforcement patterns may show distinct trends from urban areas.

Pretrial Release Patterns

Criminal traffic offenses that appear in our DCJS data generally involve charges more serious than simple traffic infractions. Our data tracks pretrial release decisions for these cases across all 62 counties, showing how bail, ROR, and supervised release rates relate to charge severity.

Understanding the Statistics

When reviewing traffic offense 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 traffic offense laws and potential penalties, consult a licensed New York attorney or visit the New York Penal Law. To explore the data, view our traffic offense statistics by county.