PL 170.20 — Possess Forged Instrument-3rd
Misdemeanor · 8,567 cases across 14 counties · 2024–2025
Under PL § 170.20 (Possess Forged Instrument-3rd), 69.5% of 8,567 cases statewide were dismissed and 30.5% resulted in conviction, based on 2024–2025 OCA arraignment data across 14 New York counties.
Dismissal rate includes judicial dismissals and cases dismissed in the interest of justice. Conviction rate includes guilty pleas and findings of guilt at trial. Possess Forged Instrument-3rd is classified as a Misdemeanor under New York law. Data sourced from the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA) STAT Act. Covers criminal court arraignments in 2024–2025, updated monthly. Last updated: March 2026
See also: All Forgery charges (DCJS data, 2019–2024) for pretrial release, bail, and charge reduction data.
What the Data Shows
Possess Forged Instrument-3rd (PL § 170.20) is a Misdemeanor under New York law. Based on 8,567 arraignments across 14 counties in 2024–2025:
- Dismissal rate: 69.5% of cases are dismissed statewide, though rates vary significantly by county
- Conviction rate: 30.5% of cases result in conviction, including guilty pleas and trial verdicts
- Geographic variation: Click any county below for specific fines, sentencing breakdowns, and dismissal reasons
These statistics reflect aggregate outcomes and do not predict individual case results. For legal guidance, consult a licensed New York attorney.
Outcomes by County
| County | Cases | Dismissal Rate | Conviction Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings | 2,346 | 84.0% | 16.0% |
| Queens | 2,301 | 59.2% | 40.8% |
| New York | 1,649 | 83.9% | 16.1% |
| Bronx | 805 | 74.3% | 25.7% |
| Suffolk | 499 | 64.8% | 35.2% |
| Nassau | 310 | 39.0% | 61.0% |
| Richmond | 273 | 49.1% | 50.9% |
| Westchester | 151 | 17.9% | 82.1% |
| Erie | 51 | 6.0% | 94.0% |
| Ulster | 48 | 29.8% | 70.2% |
| Dutchess | 39 | 10.3% | 89.7% |
| Rockland | 38 | 13.5% | 86.5% |
| Orange | 37 | 23.5% | 76.5% |
| Putnam | 20 | 20.0% | 80.0% |
Common Questions
Statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Past outcomes do not predict future results.
Data source: NYS OCA-STAT Act (2024–2025). 8,567 cases analyzed. Last updated March 2026. — NewYorkCourtFile.com
Next Step
Facing a Possess Forged Instrument-3rd charge? Get connected with a defense attorney experienced with PL 170.20 cases.