Arson in Miami-Dade County, Florida

In Miami-Dade County, arson defendants face a high conviction rate: 71.9 percent are found guilty, compared to a statewide guilty rate that can be inferred from the other outcomes. The 11.2 percent adjudication withheld rate—where judges find guilt but spare defendants a formal conviction record—is slightly above the statewide average of 10.2 percent. Most striking is the diversion rate of 11.2 percent, which far exceeds the statewide average of 1.8 percent. This suggests Miami-Dade's State Attorney's office uses pre-trial diversion programs as a meaningful alternative to prosecution for some arson cases, allowing eligible defendants to avoid conviction entirely by completing program requirements. Dismissals occur in only 3.4 percent of cases, slightly higher than the statewide rate.

Sentencing outcomes reflect the serious nature of arson prosecutions. The average sentence spans 2,293 days, though the median of 1,189 days indicates significant variation in case outcomes. Just over half of defendants (51.7 percent) receive prison time, while 13.5 percent serve jail sentences. Probation averages 1,669 days when imposed. Two-thirds of defendants are represented by public defenders, indicating arson charges predominantly affect defendants with limited resources.