Child Abuse / Neglect in St. Johns County, Florida
63 cases (2025) · St. Johns County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, St. Johns County took a balanced approach to child abuse and neglect cases. The guilty rate was 46 percent, while diversion and withheld adjudication each accounted for 27 percent of outcomes—double the statewide diversion average. No cases were dismissed, but alternatives to conviction were available for many.
Sentences were restrained: average 214 days with a median of 136 days, the shortest among child abuse counties in this sample. Prison and jail combined reached 31.7 percent. Probation averaged 804 days—notably shorter than peer counties. Public defenders represented 44.4 percent of defendants. Overall, St. Johns showed a preference for rehabilitation and modest consequences over incarceration.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 46.0% of 63 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 63 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 | 36 | 4.2 months |
| State Prison Facility | 20 | 3.4 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Child Abuse / Neglect sentencing in St. Johns 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 | 42 | 40.5% | 0.0% |
| Black | 20 | 55.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 76 | 48.7% | 0.0% | 2.3 years |
| 2024 | 79 | 29.1% | 3.8% | 1 year, 2 months |
| 2025 | 63 | 46.0% | 0.0% | 7.1 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 90 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 68 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 55 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 3 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
Related Charges in St. Johns County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 2,234 | 38.7% | 4.6% |
| Drug Possession | 833 | 59.8% | 2.6% |
| Other | 599 | 59.4% | 10.5% |
| Larceny / Theft | 612 | 61.4% | 4.1% |
| Battery | 592 | 42.9% | 2.5% |
| DUI | 374 | 92.5% | 4.5% |
| Trespassing | 284 | 77.1% | 4.9% |
| Resisting Officer | 321 | 63.9% | 3.1% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Child Abuse / Neglect in St. Johns County?
The guilty rate is 46.0% based on 63 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Child Abuse / Neglect in St. Johns County?
Adjudication is withheld in 27.0% 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 St. Johns County?
The average sentence is 7.1 months (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
44.4% of defendants use a public defender, while 17.5% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Child Abuse / Neglect in St. Johns County, Florida (2025). Based on 63 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/child-abuse-neglect/st-johns
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for St. Johns 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 · 63 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com