Interactive Analysis: Federal Prosecutions in NYC

The Reality of Federal Prosecution in NYC

An interactive exploration of the crimes, trends, and outcomes in the Southern (SDNY) and Eastern (EDNY) Districts of New York, revealing a system defined by strategic priorities and overwhelming conviction rates.

An Overwhelming Rate of Conviction

The vast majority of federal criminal cases in New York do not end in acquittal. The data reveals a system where trials are rare, and guilty pleas are the norm.

92.1%

SDNY Guilty Dispositions (FY 2022)

This rate is largely synonymous with the guilty plea rate, reflecting the immense influence of plea bargaining.

A Tale of Two Districts: Prosecutorial Priorities

While sharing many common goals, the SDNY and EDNY have distinct areas of focus shaped by their unique jurisdictions. Select a district to explore its primary criminal division units and the types of cases they pursue.

Southern District (SDNY) Focus

With jurisdiction over Manhattan's financial core, the SDNY places a heavy emphasis on complex financial crimes, national security, and international cases. Its specialized units are designed to tackle sophisticated criminal enterprises.

Securities & Commodities Fraud: Insider trading, market manipulation, Ponzi schemes.
Complex Frauds & Cybercrime: Healthcare, tax, and pandemic-related fraud; ransomware attacks.
National Security & Intl. Narcotics: Counterterrorism, sanctions evasion, and global drug trafficking.

Eastern District (EDNY) Focus

Covering Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island, the EDNY confronts a mix of high-level fraud and deeply entrenched organized crime, reflecting the diversity of its territory.

Organized Crime & Gangs: Prosecution of La Cosa Nostra families and violent street gangs like MS-13.
Business & Securities Fraud: Corporate, healthcare, and investment fraud.
International Narcotics & Money Laundering: Targeting cartels and their financial networks.

The NYC Factor: Why These Crimes Prevail

New York City's unique characteristics create a fertile environment for specific, complex federal offenses.

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Global Financial Hub

The concentration of financial markets creates unparalleled opportunities for securities fraud, corporate malfeasance, and sophisticated money laundering schemes.

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International Gateway

Major air and seaports are conduits for transnational crimes, including narcotics and human trafficking, and threats to national security.

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Dense Urban Environment

Diverse, dense communities can foster organized crime groups and violent gangs, leading to racketeering and firearms offenses requiring federal intervention.

FY 2022 Caseload at a Glance

The following charts break down the dispositions for all criminal defendants whose cases were terminated in U.S. District Court during Fiscal Year 2022, highlighting the dominance of guilty outcomes.