Child Abuse / Neglect in Broward County, Florida
115 cases (2025) · Broward County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Broward County prosecuted child abuse cases to resolution with no dismissals or acquittals. Of 115 defendants, 72.2% were convicted and 27.8% received withheld adjudication, nearly matching the statewide average of 26.3%. However, zero cases were dismissed and zero diverted, compared to the statewide diversion rate of 10.3%. This reflects Broward's zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.
Sentences emphasized probation supervision. The median prison sentence was 1.5 years, though the average exceeded five years due to some lengthy terms. About 25% received prison time and 18% jail time. Probation supervision was particularly intensive, averaging nearly 10 years—substantially above typical criminal cases—indicating courts prioritize long-term monitoring.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Child Abuse / Neglect charge in Broward County makes it in front of a judge. Of 110 prosecutor decisions on Child Abuse / Neglect charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 70.0% — above the 42.9% 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 — 72.2% of 115 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 46 | 7.3 years |
| County Jail | 44 | 7.6 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Child Abuse / Neglect sentencing in Broward County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Available | 59 | 66.1% | 0.0% |
| Black | 56 | 78.6% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 51 | 39.2% | 0.0% | 1 year, 1 months |
| 2024 | 72 | 52.8% | 4.2% | 2.4 years |
| 2025 | 115 | 72.2% | 0.0% | 5.8 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 94 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 62 |
| Felony | First Degree | 38 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 30 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 14 |
Related Charges in Broward County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 6,520 | 22.1% | 1.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 3,161 | 62.6% | 1.7% |
| Drug Possession | 2,012 | 54.5% | 12.2% |
| Resisting Officer | 1,556 | 52.6% | 5.3% |
| Trespassing | 1,337 | 55.9% | 4.7% |
| Other | 1,326 | 32.6% | 32.9% |
| Battery | 823 | 53.9% | 8.3% |
| Fraud | 976 | 55.2% | 3.3% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Child Abuse / Neglect in Broward County?
The guilty rate is 72.2% based on 115 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Child Abuse / Neglect in Broward County?
Adjudication is withheld in 27.8% 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 Child Abuse / Neglect in Broward County?
The average sentence is 5.8 years (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
0.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 0.0% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Child Abuse / Neglect in Broward County, Florida (2025). Based on 115 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/child-abuse-neglect/broward
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Broward 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 · 115 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com