Drug Possession in Broward County, Florida
2,012 cases (2025) · Broward County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Broward County's drug possession outcomes were distinctive in scale and pattern. With 2,012 cases, this represented the largest sample analyzed. Guilty verdicts were entered in 54.5% of cases while 33.1% received adjudication withheld—well above the statewide 16.9% average. Most remarkably, 12.2% of cases were dismissed, nearly nine times the statewide 1.4% rate. Diversion was rare at 0.1%, suggesting prosecution prioritizes adjudication over program-based resolution.
Sentenced defendants averaged 316 days in confinement (median 180) with jail time affecting 42% and prison 10.6%. Probation averaged 680 days. The defendant population appeared heavily represented by public defenders, though specific counsel percentages were not provided in the available data.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Drug Possession charge in Broward County makes it in front of a judge. Of 19,719 prosecutor decisions on Drug Possession charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 44.7% — above 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 — 54.5% of 2,012 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 2,012 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 | 2,527 | 6.1 months |
| State Prison Facility | 607 | 2.3 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Broward County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 1,162 | 62.6% | 9.3% |
| Not Available | 834 | 43.6% | 16.1% |
| Asian | 14 | 35.7% | 21.4% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,454 | 58.8% | 2.3% | 10.9 months |
| 2024 | 2,029 | 55.7% | 8.1% | 9.9 months |
| 2025 | 2,012 | 54.5% | 12.2% | 10.5 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 | 4,111 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 1,367 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 15 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
Related Charges in Broward County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 6,520 | 22.1% | 1.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 3,161 | 62.6% | 1.7% |
| Resisting Officer | 1,556 | 52.6% | 5.3% |
| Trespassing | 1,337 | 55.9% | 4.7% |
| Other | 1,326 | 32.6% | 32.9% |
| Battery | 823 | 53.9% | 8.3% |
| Fraud | 976 | 55.2% | 3.3% |
| DUI | 839 | 81.0% | 2.7% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Broward County?
The guilty rate is 54.5% based on 2,012 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Broward County?
Adjudication is withheld in 33.1% 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 Broward County?
The average sentence is 10.5 months (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
0.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 0.0% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Broward County, Florida (2025). Based on 2,012 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/broward
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Broward 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 · 2,012 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com