Child Abuse / Neglect in Volusia County, Florida

226 cases (2025) · Volusia County courts

In 2025, Child Abuse/Neglect cases in Volusia County reflected distinctive prosecutorial emphasis on pre-trial diversion. Guilty findings occurred in 42.0% and adjudication withheld in 35.4%, but diversion programs appeared in 19.5% of cases—the highest rate statewide and nearly double the 10.0% average. The circuit's State Attorney clearly prioritizes diversion programs to allow defendants to avoid conviction through program completion.

Confined defendants received sentences averaging 1,234 days (3.4 years) with a median of 144 days (5 months), indicating extreme variation in outcomes. Prison affected 15.5% of cases, jail 23.9%, with probation averaging 1,030 days (2.8 years). The combination of high diversion rates, high average sentences for those convicted, and variable outcomes reflects Volusia's strategy: offer programs to most defendants, but impose substantial penalties on those who proceed to conviction.

Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.

226
Total Cases (2025)
42.0%
Guilty Rate
35.4%
Withheld Rate
1.8%
Dismissal Rate
vs 1.8% statewide, 2025
3.4 years
Avg Sentence (confined)
I Outcomes

Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)

Guilty
42.0% (95)
Withheld
35.4% (80)
Diversion
19.5% (44)
Dismissed
1.8% (4)
Acquitted
0.0% (0)

Largest outcomeGuilty — 42.0% of 226 cases.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 226 cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com

II Sentencing

Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2025)

3.4 years
Avg Sentence (confined)
4.8 months
Median Sentence
2.8 years
Avg Probation
$500
Avg Fine
15.5%
Prison Rate
23.9%
Jail Rate

Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).

Confinement Type Count Avg Sentence (confined)
County Jail 154 3.4 months
State Prison Facility 139 12.4 years
III Getting Help

Need a Defense Attorney in Volusia County?

Get matched with a local attorney who handles Child Abuse / Neglect cases. Free, confidential, no obligation.

What is the guilty rate for Child Abuse / Neglect in Volusia County?

The guilty rate is 42.0% based on 226 cases (2025).

How often is adjudication withheld for Child Abuse / Neglect in Volusia County?

Adjudication is withheld in 35.4% 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 Volusia County?

Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 3.4 years, with an average fine of $500 (2025).

What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?

58.4% of defendants use a public defender, while 19.0% retain private counsel (2025).

IV Full Data
132
Public Defender
51.5% guilty · 1.5% dismissed
43
Private Attorney
39.5% guilty · 0.0% dismissed
35
Self or Unrepresented
17.1% guilty · 5.7% dismissed
12
Conflict Counsel
8.3% guilty · 0.0% dismissed

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 144 37.5% 1.4%
Black 73 50.7% 2.7%
8.0%
Under 21
30.7%
21-29
33.3%
30-39
15.1%
40-49
6.7%
50-59
6.2%
60+

Exhibit · Disposition trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence (confined)
2023 240 44.6% 2.9% 11.4 years
2024 220 54.1% 3.2% 2.6 years
2025 226 42.0% 1.8% 3.4 years

Quarterly detail

4.2%
2.4%
1.8%
2.8%
1.9%
5.3%
1.8%
3.7%
5.5%
0.0%
0.0%
1.5%
Q1’23 Q2’23 Q3’23 Q4’23 Q1’24 Q2’24 Q3’24 Q4’24 Q1’25 Q2’25 Q3’25 Q4’25

Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.

Level Degree Cases
Felony Third Degree 310
Misdemeanor First Degree 254
Misdemeanor Second Degree 71
Felony Second Degree 37
Felony First Degree 8
NULL NULL 6
Charge Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
Other 9,055 15.6% 52.0%
Drug Possession 5,516 73.1% 1.1%
Traffic Offense 5,036 52.6% 5.9%
Battery 1,997 49.3% 2.3%
Larceny / Theft 1,681 66.2% 2.9%
Resisting Officer 1,439 68.9% 1.6%
Trespassing 1,268 78.9% 3.2%
Sex Offense 577 86.3% 4.3%

Cite this page

FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Child Abuse / Neglect in Volusia County, Florida (2025). Based on 226 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/child-abuse-neglect/volusia

About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Volusia 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 · 226 cases (2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com