Arson in Pinellas County, Florida
31 cases (2023-2025) · Pinellas County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2023-2025 data
From 2023 to 2025, Pinellas County secured guilty verdicts in 84% of arson prosecutions, with acquittals in only 3%. Like Escambia, the county had zero dismissals and withheld adjudications, both below statewide averages. A small share of defendants—3%—completed diversion programs. This pattern reflects aggressive prosecution with minimal alternative outcomes available.
Notably, 68% of those convicted received prison sentences, the highest confinement rate among arson cases statewide. Median sentence was 1,126 days, lower than the 10-year-plus averages seen in some counties. Public defenders represented only 16% of defendants, suggesting a higher proportion retained private counsel.
Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.
Figures cover 31 cases (2023-2025) — fewer than 30 cases resolved in 2025, so multi-year figures are shown.
Outcome Breakdown (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2023-2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 83.9% of 31 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 31 cases · 2023-2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Sentencing Breakdown (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2023-2025)
Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).
| Confinement Type | Count | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 21 | 8.0 years |
| County Jail | 4 | 8.0 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Arson sentencing in Pinellas County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Arson in Pinellas County?
The guilty rate is 83.9% based on 31 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Arson in Pinellas County?
Adjudication is withheld in 0.0% of cases (2023-2025). This is a Florida-specific outcome where the court finds guilt but does not formally convict, allowing the defendant to avoid a conviction record under FL Statute 948.01.
What is the average sentence for Arson in Pinellas County?
Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 6.8 years, with an average fine of $132 (2023-2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
16.1% of defendants use a public defender, while 0.0% retain private counsel (2023-2025).
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
Demographics (2023-2025)
Demographic data reflects systemic patterns in the criminal justice system and should not be used to draw conclusions about any racial or ethnic group. Disparities may reflect differences in policing, prosecution, and socioeconomic factors rather than actual crime rates.
| Race | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 16 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Black | 10 | 60.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2023-2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 | 88.9% | 0.0% | 7.8 years |
| 2024 | 11 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 9.2 years |
| 2025 | 11 | 63.6% | 0.0% | 2.0 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | First Degree | 12 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 12 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 7 |
Related Charges in Pinellas County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Possession | 6,836 | 76.0% | 1.5% |
| Other | 6,400 | 14.4% | 0.4% |
| Traffic Offense | 5,464 | 78.4% | 0.6% |
| DUI | 2,353 | 97.8% | 0.7% |
| Trespassing | 2,539 | 86.2% | 4.8% |
| Larceny / Theft | 2,443 | 75.3% | 2.0% |
| Battery | 2,015 | 55.2% | 3.4% |
| Resisting Officer | 1,570 | 78.5% | 1.5% |
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Arson in Pinellas County, Florida (2023-2025). Based on 31 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/arson/pinellas
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Pinellas County. "Guilty" includes all cases where the defendant was found guilty. "Adjudication withheld" is a Florida-specific disposition where guilt is found but the court withholds formal adjudication under FL Statute 948.01. "Dismissed" includes all cases dismissed by the court or prosecution.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 31 cases (2023-2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com