NCJ Number
138764
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
In comparing first felony processing data for 1991 in New York State with final felony processing data for 1990, this bulletin indicates that total felony indictments and Superior Court Informations (SCI's) decreased from 79,845 in 1990 to 78,073 in 1991.
Abstract
The 2-percent decline in total indictments/SCI's resulted from the sharp decrease in drug offenses, which fell from 33,892 in 1990 to 31,166 in 1991. While drug indictments/SCI's declined by 8 percent, violent felony indictments/SCI's rose by almost 2 percent. Convictions from felony indictments/SCI's rose by 6 percent between 1990 and 1991, with convictions resulting from violent felonies rising by 14 percent versus a 1-percent drop in convictions based on drug offenses. Despite the decline in drug convictions, they accounted for the largest portion of convictions (41 percent). State prison sentences registered a 5-percent increase, up from 28,079 in 1990 to 29,387 in 1991. The number of sentences for drug offenses remained almost unchanged, while State prison sentences for violent felonies rose by 9 percent. Differences among geographic areas were apparent in felony case processing. In New York City, the median time from arrest to indictment/SCI was only 20 days, compared to 80 days in the suburban area surrounding New York City and 73 days upstate. From indictment/SCI to disposition took 112 days in New York City, versus 34 days in the suburban area and 77 days upstate. Tables and figures