Research


Scope and Content Note

The records consist of detailed statistics of arrests, arraignments, indictments, convictions, and sentences in all criminal courts in New York State (including New York City).

The statistics are broken down according to type of offense specified in the Penal Law and are tabulated for all counties and cities in the state. The reports are on 11x14 sheets of paper. Through the 1950s the figures appear to have been typed on a bookkeeping machine. After that the reports are computer printouts.

The statistical reports for each year are subdivided into five "returns" as follows: Return A - Offenses and Arrests - Statistics on offenses (reported or known; false or groundless); adult and juvenile arrests for felonies, misdemeanors, and certain violations; Return B - Procedural Outcome of Criminal Cases in Preliminary Courts - Statistics on preliminary dispositions for same categories of offenses found in Return 'A'. The disposition categories are: convicted and sentenced, acquitted or dismissed, bail forfeited, transferred to grand jury, transferred to other courts (e.g. Family Court); Return C - District Attorneys' Reports on Grand Jury Actions - Statistics on number of persons indicted, indicted and recommended for youthful offender status, referred to lower courts, and dismissed; Return D - Outcome of Proceedings in Supreme and County Courts - Statistics on number of persons sentenced after guilty plea or verdict, acquitted by jury, acquitted or dismissed by court, and "other"; and Return E - Sentences by Higher Criminal Courts (Supreme and County Courts) and lower Criminal Courts - Statistics on sentences to prisons, reformatories, Elmira Reception Center, institutions for defective delinquents, penitentiaries, jails; also fines, restitution, probation, conditional discharge, unconditional discharge, and "other."

The geographic breakdown for returns 'A' and 'B' is for whole state, New York City, the five boroughs of New York City, the Transit Police in New York City, each of 22 larger upstate cities ("upstate" includes the entire state outside New York City), each of 39 smaller upstate cities, all towns and villages (statistics are total

ed for each county), each of the State Police troops and the Thruway Detail, each county sheriff, and the Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments. Return 'E' (section for lower criminal courts) has the same geographic breakdown, except that totals for the State Police are not included.

The geographic breakdown for Returns 'C', 'D', and 'E' (section for higher criminal courts) is by state, upstate, New York City, New York City Boroughs, and each upstate county.