Contempt of Court in Okeechobee County, Florida

137 cases (2025) · Okeechobee County courts

In 2025, Okeechobee County handled 137 contempt cases with an extraordinary dismissal rate of 87.6%—nearly 82 percentage points above statewide average of 5.7%. Only 12.4% resulted in guilty verdicts, with zero withheld adjudications and zero diversions. This outlier profile suggests either systemic differences in how contempt charges are categorized, resource constraints limiting prosecution, or a local policy favoring case dismissal over adjudication.

Among the rare cases proceeding to conviction, average sentence was 171.5 days and median 168 days—moderate outcomes. Only 11.7% received jail time. Attorney representation data was sparse, with only 5.8% using public defenders and 0.7% retaining private counsel, suggesting many defendants appeared unrepresented or records incomplete. Okeechobee's extreme dismissal rate sets it apart from all other counties, though underlying reasons remain unclear from outcome data alone.

137
Total Cases (2025)
12.4%
Guilty Rate
0.0%
Withheld Rate
87.6%
Dismissal Rate
vs 13.4% statewide, 2025
5.7 months
Avg Sentence
I Outcomes

Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)

Guilty
12.4% (17)
Withheld
0.0% (0)
Diversion
0.0% (0)
Dismissed
87.6% (120)
Acquitted
0.0% (0)

Largest outcomeDismissed — 87.6% of 137 cases.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 137 cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com

II Sentencing

Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2025)

5.7 months
Avg Sentence
5.6 months
Median Sentence
1 year
Avg Probation
0.7%
Prison Rate
11.7%
Jail Rate

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

Confinement Type Count Avg Sentence
County Jail 49 3.8 months
State Prison Facility 1 1 year
20
Public Defender
100.0% 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 82 11.0% 89.0%
Black 19 5.3% 94.7%
3.6%
Under 21
22.6%
21-29
34.3%
30-39
18.2%
40-49
13.1%
50-59
8.0%
60+

Exhibit · Disposition trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 184 7.6% 92.4% 3.1 months
2024 132 18.2% 80.3% 3.0 months
2025 137 12.4% 87.6% 5.7 months

Quarterly detail

93.2%
94.6%
95.5%
83.8%
83.9%
75.0%
97.0%
100.0%
82.9%
71.9%
Q1’23 Q2’23 Q3’23 Q4’23 Q1’24 Q3’24 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
Not Applicable Not Applicable 427
Misdemeanor First Degree 25
Felony Third Degree 1
Charge Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
Traffic Offense 506 61.7% 0.6%
Drug Possession 314 76.1% 8.3%
Other 221 58.8% 17.2%
Larceny / Theft 137 85.4% 1.5%
Battery 131 75.6% 8.4%
DUI 98 95.9% 1.0%
Resisting Officer 87 81.6% 6.9%
Trespassing 67 73.1% 13.4%

Was Your Case Dismissed?

87.6% of Contempt of Court cases in Okeechobee County are dismissed. If your case was dismissed, you may be eligible to have it expunged from your record.

Check Expungement Eligibility
III Getting Help

Need a Defense Attorney in Okeechobee County?

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What is the guilty rate for Contempt of Court in Okeechobee County?

The guilty rate is 12.4% based on 137 cases (2025).

How often is adjudication withheld for Contempt of Court in Okeechobee County?

Adjudication is withheld in 0.0% 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 Contempt of Court in Okeechobee County?

The average sentence is 5.7 months (2025).

What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?

5.8% of defendants use a public defender, while 0.7% retain private counsel (2025).

Cite this page

FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Contempt of Court in Okeechobee County, Florida (2025). Based on 137 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/contempt-of-court/okeechobee

About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Okeechobee 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 · 137 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com