Drug Possession in Hamilton County, Florida
51 cases (2025) · Hamilton County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, drug possession cases in Hamilton County resulted in convictions in 86.3% of cases, far exceeding the state pattern. The dismissal rate of 5.9% was substantially higher than Florida's statewide average of 1.4%, but the withheld adjudication rate of 5.9% was markedly lower than the statewide 16.9%. These differences suggest the State Attorney pursued aggressive prosecution with selective dismissals—no cases were diverted through pre-trial programs, compared to the statewide diversion rate of 5.6%.
Defendants in Hamilton faced steep consequences. The average sentence was 743 days with a median of 548 days. Over half of sentenced defendants went to prison (52.9%), with the remainder divided between jail and probation-only. Most relied on public defenders (39.2%), with only 2% able to afford private counsel.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 86.3% of 51 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 51 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 |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 49 | 2.7 years |
| County Jail | 34 | 2.7 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Hamilton County.
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 24 | 83.3% | 12.5% |
| White | 22 | 86.4% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 40 | 90.0% | 0.0% | 1 year, 11 months |
| 2024 | 34 | 82.4% | 0.0% | 5.2 months |
| 2025 | 51 | 86.3% | 5.9% | 2.0 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 78 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 30 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 17 |
Related Charges in Hamilton County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 195 | 77.9% | 6.7% |
| Other | 72 (2023-2025) | 83.3% | 5.6% |
| Resisting Officer | 64 (2023-2025) | 90.6% | 0.0% |
| Battery | 56 (2023-2025) | 91.1% | 0.0% |
| Larceny / Theft | 47 (2023-2025) | 91.5% | 0.0% |
| Sex Offense | 46 (2023-2025) | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| Fraud | 35 (2023-2025) | 91.4% | 0.0% |
| DUI | 31 (2023-2025) | 100.0% | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Hamilton County?
The guilty rate is 86.3% based on 51 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Hamilton County?
Adjudication is withheld in 5.9% 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 Hamilton County?
The average sentence is 2.0 years, with an average fine of $2,730 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
39.2% of defendants use a public defender, while 2.0% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Hamilton County, Florida (2025). Based on 51 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/hamilton
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Hamilton 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 · 51 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com