Drug Possession in Franklin County, Florida
212 cases (2025) · Franklin County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Franklin County handled 212 drug possession cases with the highest diversion rate in the dataset at 12.3%—more than double the statewide 5.6%. Despite this, 69.8% of defendants were convicted and 15.1% received withheld adjudication, leaving just over one-fifth with paths to avoid formal adjudication. The county's approach balanced prosecution conviction with selective use of pretrial alternatives.
Sentences combined moderate length with extensive supervision. Incarceration averaged 185 days with a median of 57 days, and 69.3% of defendants faced jail time—the highest jail rate across all counties—though prison commitments were rare (9%). Probation was the exceptional sanction: 1,089 days (three years), the longest in the dataset. The nearly half-indigent population (48.1% public defender) bore the burden of this extended supervision, while average fines remained minimal at $93.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Drug Possession charge in Franklin County makes it in front of a judge. Of 385 prosecutor decisions on Drug Possession charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 15.8% — 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 — 69.8% of 212 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 212 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 | 315 | 3.4 months |
| State Prison Facility | 41 | 2.4 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Franklin 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 | 189 | 69.8% | 0.0% |
| Black | 20 | 70.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 113 | 78.8% | 2.7% | 8.0 months |
| 2024 | 108 | 81.5% | 0.0% | 5.2 months |
| 2025 | 212 | 69.8% | 0.0% | 6.2 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 | 216 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 190 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 25 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
Related Charges in Franklin County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | 227 | 27.8% | 7.5% |
| Traffic Offense | 126 | 42.9% | 0.0% |
| Battery | 54 | 68.5% | 1.9% |
| Resisting Officer | 94 (2023-2025) | 73.4% | 2.1% |
| Trespassing | 77 (2023-2025) | 77.9% | 0.0% |
| Disorderly Conduct | 76 (2023-2025) | 64.5% | 0.0% |
| Larceny / Theft | 76 (2023-2025) | 77.6% | 2.6% |
| Drug Sale | 43 (2023-2025) | 95.3% | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Franklin County?
The guilty rate is 69.8% based on 212 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Franklin County?
Adjudication is withheld in 15.1% 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 Franklin County?
The average sentence is 6.2 months, with an average fine of $93 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
48.1% of defendants use a public defender, while 1.4% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Franklin County, Florida (2025). Based on 212 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/franklin
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Franklin 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 · 212 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com