Contempt of Court in Highlands County, Florida
38 cases (2025) · Highlands County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Highlands County recorded the highest contempt conviction rate among all counties shown, with 94.7% of cases resulting in guilty findings and zero dismissals—a stark contrast to the statewide dismissal average of 5.7%. The withheld rate of 2.6% was markedly low compared to the statewide 11.1%, meaning most defendants received a formal conviction record. This pattern suggests the county's State Attorney takes contempt violations very seriously and rarely declines prosecution.
Nearly half of defendants—50%—served jail sentences, with an average of about 5.8 months and a median close to the mean at about 5.8 months. Over 52% relied on public defenders and only 5% retained private counsel, indicating a predominantly lower-income defendant population. Fines averaged roughly $193, modest compared to other counties.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Contempt of Court charge in Highlands County makes it in front of a judge. Of 56 prosecutor decisions on Contempt of Court charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 33.9% — below the 38.4% 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 — 94.7% of 38 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 38 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 | 56 | 5.4 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Contempt of Court sentencing in Highlands County.
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
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 | 27 | 92.6% | 0.0% |
| Black | 10 | 100.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 5.3 months |
| 2024 | 20 | 95.0% | 5.0% | 4.8 months |
| 2025 | 38 | 94.7% | 0.0% | 5.9 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 76 |
| Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 13 |
Related Charges in Highlands County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 754 | 64.2% | 1.6% |
| Drug Possession | 571 | 89.1% | 0.7% |
| Other | 332 | 75.6% | 7.8% |
| Larceny / Theft | 256 | 85.5% | 1.6% |
| Resisting Officer | 208 | 85.6% | 2.4% |
| Battery | 246 | 80.9% | 2.8% |
| Trespassing | 138 | 84.8% | 2.9% |
| Fraud | 97 | 73.2% | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Contempt of Court in Highlands County?
The guilty rate is 94.7% based on 38 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Contempt of Court in Highlands County?
Adjudication is withheld in 2.6% 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 Contempt of Court in Highlands County?
The average sentence is 5.9 months, with an average fine of $193 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
52.6% of defendants use a public defender, while 5.3% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Contempt of Court in Highlands County, Florida (2025). Based on 38 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/contempt-of-court/highlands
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Highlands 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 · 38 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com