Drug Possession in Baker County, Florida
171 cases (2025) · Baker County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, drug possession in Baker County showed elevated diversion rates compared to the state average. While 64.9% of cases ended in guilty verdicts, an unusual 22.8% resolved through diversion programs—four times the statewide 5.6% rate—allowing defendants to avoid conviction through program completion. Only 12.3% received adjudication withheld (versus 16.9% statewide) and zero were dismissed despite the 1.4% statewide dismissal rate. This pattern suggests a balance between prosecution and rehabilitation.
Sentenced defendants averaged 260 days in confinement with jail time in 55% of cases and probation averaging 706 days—nearly two years. Prison sentences affected only 6.4%, indicating most confinement was local. The 45% public defender rate and minimal private counsel (2.9%) reflect a defendant population with very limited resources.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Drug Possession charge in Baker County makes it in front of a judge. Of 754 prosecutor decisions on Drug Possession charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 23.2% — below the 36.7% 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 — 64.9% of 171 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 171 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 | 400 | 4.2 months |
| State Prison Facility | 89 | 1 year, 9 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Baker 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 | 146 | 62.3% | 0.0% |
| Black | 21 | 85.7% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 259 | 79.9% | 0.0% | 7.7 months |
| 2024 | 210 | 73.8% | 0.0% | 5.7 months |
| 2025 | 171 | 64.9% | 0.0% | 8.6 months |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 320 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 276 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 36 |
| Felony | First Degree | 8 |
Related Charges in Baker County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 110 | 68.2% | 0.0% |
| Battery | 115 | 50.4% | 0.0% |
| Other | 48 | 66.7% | 0.0% |
| Larceny / Theft | 35 | 65.7% | 0.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 141 (2023-2025) | 81.6% | 0.0% |
| Drug Sale | 101 (2023-2025) | 86.1% | 0.0% |
| Trespassing | 97 (2023-2025) | 88.7% | 0.0% |
| Disorderly Conduct | 94 (2023-2025) | 75.5% | 0.0% |
Need a Defense Attorney in Baker County?
Get matched with a local attorney who handles Drug Possession cases. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Baker County?
The guilty rate is 64.9% based on 171 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Baker County?
Adjudication is withheld in 12.3% 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 Drug Possession in Baker County?
The average sentence is 8.6 months, with an average fine of $259 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
45.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 2.9% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Baker County, Florida (2025). Based on 171 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/baker
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Baker 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 · 171 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com