Assault in Pinellas County, Florida
236 cases (2025) · Pinellas County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Pinellas County prosecuted 236 assault cases with the most conviction-heavy outcome distribution of the counties examined. The guilty rate was 63.1%—significantly above the statewide pattern—while withheld adjudications were less common at 19.9% compared to the statewide average of 22.2%. Dismissals occurred in 2.5% of cases, near the statewide average of 2.4%, and diversion programs were used in 8.1% of cases, above the statewide average of 5.2%.
Defendants convicted faced substantial sentences: an average of 551 days with a median of 270 days, reflecting consistent mid-range penalties. Prison sentences were imposed on 20.8% of defendants and jail sentences on 33.5%. The average fine was $149. The counsel data suggests most cases were handled through public defender representation, consistent with the nature of assault charges.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Assault charge in Pinellas County makes it in front of a judge. Of 1,671 prosecutor decisions on Assault charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 67.1% — above the 47.7% statewide rate. These decisions happen early in a case, before trial.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State Attorney case data (2023-2025). Rates are per charge, not per defendant — a dropped charge often reflects a plea agreement on another charge in the same case, not the case going away. Percentages are of charges receiving a prosecution decision; transfers between courts are excluded. Court outcome data on this page is a separate dataset covering cases that reached disposition. Statewide charging patterns: The Florida Prosecution Report.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 63.1% of 236 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 236 cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Sentencing Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2025)
Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).
| Confinement Type | Count | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 237 | 5.5 months |
| State Prison Facility | 158 | 4.0 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Assault sentencing in Pinellas County.
Counsel Analysis (2025)
Demographics (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 | 105 | 56.2% | 2.9% |
| Black | 100 | 77.0% | 2.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 206 | 63.1% | 3.9% | 2.3 years |
| 2024 | 242 | 71.9% | 1.7% | 1 year, 11 months |
| 2025 | 236 | 63.1% | 2.5% | 1 year, 6 months |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 432 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 141 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 75 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 36 |
Related Charges in Pinellas County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Possession | 6,868 | 75.7% | 1.5% |
| Other | 6,405 | 14.3% | 0.4% |
| Traffic Offense | 5,465 | 78.3% | 0.6% |
| DUI | 2,355 | 97.8% | 0.7% |
| Trespassing | 2,554 | 85.7% | 4.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 2,453 | 75.0% | 2.0% |
| Battery | 2,043 | 54.4% | 3.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 1,579 | 78.0% | 1.5% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Assault in Pinellas County?
The guilty rate is 63.1% based on 236 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Assault in Pinellas County?
Adjudication is withheld in 19.9% of cases (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 Assault in Pinellas County?
The average sentence is 1 year, 6 months, with an average fine of $149 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
12.7% of defendants use a public defender, while 8.1% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Assault in Pinellas County, Florida (2025). Based on 236 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/assault/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 · 236 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com