Drug Possession in Holmes County, Florida
359 cases (2025) · Holmes County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Holmes County prosecutors pursued drug possession cases with exceptional intensity. Guilty convictions reached 88.9%—the highest among Florida counties—with an additional 10.9% adjudication withheld. Dismissals were nearly eliminated at 0.3%, well below the statewide average of 1.4 percentage points. Notably, diversion programs were unavailable at zero defendants versus the state average of 5.6%, reflecting the local State Attorney's zero-tolerance approach.
Sentencing emphasized probation over incarceration. Median sentence was 105 days, but average probation reached 1,283.9 days (over three years), one of Florida's longest. Nearly half of defendants (48.7%) received jail time, while only 9.7% faced prison. Fines averaged $1,209. The pattern suggests long-term community supervision rather than imprisonment.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Drug Possession charge in Holmes County makes it in front of a judge. Of 1,361 prosecutor decisions on Drug Possession charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 19.5% — 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 — 88.9% of 359 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 359 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 | 538 | 5.4 months |
| State Prison Facility | 114 | 2.7 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Holmes 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 | 320 | 89.7% | 0.0% |
| Black | 35 | 82.9% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 329 | 80.2% | 1.5% | 8.9 months |
| 2024 | 384 | 87.5% | 0.0% | 11.2 months |
| 2025 | 359 | 88.9% | 0.3% | 10.3 months |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 541 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 506 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 15 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 9 |
| Felony | First Degree | 1 |
Related Charges in Holmes County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 129 | 71.3% | 0.8% |
| Other | 88 | 90.9% | 1.1% |
| Battery | 100 | 83.0% | 0.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 62 | 90.3% | 0.0% |
| Disorderly Conduct | 46 | 60.9% | 0.0% |
| Larceny / Theft | 35 | 85.7% | 0.0% |
| Drug Sale | 78 (2023-2025) | 98.7% | 0.0% |
| Child Abuse / Neglect | 71 (2023-2025) | 85.9% | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Holmes County?
The guilty rate is 88.9% based on 359 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Holmes County?
Adjudication is withheld in 10.9% 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 Holmes County?
The average sentence is 10.3 months, with an average fine of $1,209 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
28.4% of defendants use a public defender, while 13.6% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Holmes County, Florida (2025). Based on 359 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/holmes
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Holmes 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 · 359 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com