Contempt of Court in Seminole County, Florida
52 cases (2025) · Seminole County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, 82.7% of contempt of court charges in Seminole County resulted in guilty verdicts, with another 13.5% resulting in adjudication withheld, meaning the court found guilt but the defendant avoided a formal conviction. Dismissals are rare here—occurring in none of the 52 cases—compared to a statewide dismissal rate of 5.7%. This suggests the local State Attorney's office prosecutes contempt charges aggressively, with few cases resolving before trial. The 1.9% acquittal rate further demonstrates the prosecution's strong position in these cases.
Defendants who receive guilty or withheld verdicts typically face jail time, with 57.7% of cases resulting in confinement and a median sentence of 61 days. The average fine is $325. Most defendants (73.1%) rely on public defenders, which is typical for this charge. No diversion programs were used, indicating judges view contempt charges as serious violations without opportunity for pre-trial intervention programs.
Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 82.7% of 52 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 52 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 (confined) |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 132 | 4.5 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Contempt of Court sentencing in Seminole County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Contempt of Court in Seminole County?
The guilty rate is 82.7% based on 52 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Contempt of Court in Seminole County?
Adjudication is withheld in 13.5% 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 Seminole County?
Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 2.6 months, with an average fine of $325 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
73.1% of defendants use a public defender, while 19.2% retain private counsel (2025).
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 | 31 | 77.4% | 0.0% |
| Black | 20 | 95.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 122 | 79.5% | 3.3% | 5.4 months |
| 2024 | 60 | 78.3% | 5.0% | 4.3 months |
| 2025 | 52 | 82.7% | 0.0% | 2.6 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 230 |
| Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 3 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 1 |
Related Charges in Seminole County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 1,958 | 46.2% | 1.8% |
| Larceny / Theft | 1,196 | 54.7% | 0.4% |
| Drug Possession | 1,159 | 66.8% | 0.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 630 | 65.9% | 0.5% |
| Other | 525 | 54.1% | 5.0% |
| Battery | 514 | 55.6% | 1.2% |
| Trespassing | 282 | 77.7% | 2.5% |
| Probation Violation | 372 | 21.2% | 0.0% |
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Contempt of Court in Seminole County, Florida (2025). Based on 52 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/contempt-of-court/seminole
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Seminole 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 · 52 cases (2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com