Criminal Mischief in Hendry County, Florida
62 cases (2023-2025) · Hendry County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2023-2025 data
Criminal mischief cases in Hendry County result in guilty verdicts 79 percent of the time, substantially higher than the dismissal rate of just 1.6 percent—below the statewide average of 2.4 percent. The withheld adjudication rate of 16.1 percent aligns closely with Florida's statewide average of 17.1 percent, meaning a significant portion of defendants avoid a formal conviction on their record despite a finding of guilt. However, diversion programs are underutilized locally, occurring in only 3.2 percent of cases compared to 6.4 percent statewide, suggesting fewer opportunities for defendants to resolve cases without adjudication.
Sentencing in Hendry County reflects varied confinement approaches: while the median sentence is 60 days, the average stretches to 273.9 days, indicating some cases receive substantially longer terms. Jail confinement is imposed in 41.9 percent of cases, with prison sentences rare at 1.6 percent. Most defendants are represented by public defenders (43.5 percent) rather than private counsel (11.3 percent), and probation typically extends 395 days on average. Average fines remain modest at $401.
Figures cover 62 cases (2023-2025) — fewer than 30 cases resolved in 2025, so multi-year figures are shown.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Criminal Mischief charge in Hendry County makes it in front of a judge. Of 93 prosecutor decisions on Criminal Mischief charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 44.1% — above the 31.9% 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 (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2023-2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 79.0% of 62 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 62 cases · 2023-2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Sentencing Breakdown (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2023-2025)
Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).
| Confinement Type | Count | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 26 | 5.0 months |
| State Prison Facility | 1 | 10.0 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Criminal Mischief sentencing in Hendry County.
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
Demographics (2023-2025)
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 | 25 | 84.0% | 0.0% |
| Black | 17 | 76.5% | 5.9% |
Age Distribution (2023-2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 23 | 87.0% | 0.0% | 4.4 months |
| 2024 | 21 | 61.9% | 4.8% | 5.5 months |
| 2025 | 18 | 88.9% | 0.0% | 1 year, 6 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 31 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 21 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 10 |
Related Charges in Hendry County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 696 | 57.5% | 0.1% |
| Drug Possession | 379 | 77.8% | 0.0% |
| Other | 204 | 40.2% | 0.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 119 | 77.3% | 0.0% |
| Larceny / Theft | 156 | 69.2% | 0.0% |
| Probation Violation | 136 | 89.0% | 11.0% |
| Escape / Failure to Appear | 117 | 13.7% | 86.3% |
| Battery | 115 | 68.7% | 0.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Criminal Mischief in Hendry County?
The guilty rate is 79.0% based on 62 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Criminal Mischief in Hendry County?
Adjudication is withheld in 16.1% of cases (2023-2025). 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 Criminal Mischief in Hendry County?
The average sentence is 9.3 months, with an average fine of $401 (2023-2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
43.5% of defendants use a public defender, while 11.3% retain private counsel (2023-2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Criminal Mischief in Hendry County, Florida (2023-2025). Based on 62 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/criminal-mischief/hendry
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Hendry 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 · 62 cases (2023-2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com