Contempt of Court in St. Johns County, Florida
73 cases (2025) · St. Johns County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, St. Johns County took a permissive approach to contempt charges, with a dismissal rate of 9.6% significantly exceeding the statewide average of 5.7%. The guilty rate of 61.6% was moderate, and the withheld rate of 17.8% exceeded the statewide average of 11.1%, meaning many adjudicated defendants avoided formal convictions. Notably, diversion was used in 11.0% of cases, more than four times the statewide average of 2.5%, demonstrating the county's preference for alternative resolution.
When confinement did occur, roughly 45% of defendants served jail time averaging roughly 4 months (median 2 months). Average probation lasted nearly one year. About 33% retained private counsel and 48% used public defenders, indicating mixed representation. Fines averaged $525, among the highest, reflecting stricter monetary penalties despite more dismissals and diversion than most other counties.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 61.6% of 73 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 73 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 | 93 | 3.7 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Contempt of Court 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 | 56 | 62.5% | 12.5% |
| Black | 15 | 66.7% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58 | 72.4% | 6.9% | 3.6 months |
| 2024 | 54 | 79.6% | 1.9% | 3.3 months |
| 2025 | 73 | 61.6% | 9.6% | 4.1 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 183 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 1 |
| NULL | NULL | 1 |
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 Contempt of Court in St. Johns County?
The guilty rate is 61.6% based on 73 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Contempt of Court in St. Johns County?
Adjudication is withheld in 17.8% 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 St. Johns County?
The average sentence is 4.1 months, with an average fine of $525 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
47.9% of defendants use a public defender, while 32.9% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Contempt of Court in St. Johns County, Florida (2025). Based on 73 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/contempt-of-court/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 · 73 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com