Drug Possession in Monroe County, Florida
551 cases (2025) · Monroe County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Monroe County achieved the lowest drug possession conviction rate in this sample at 52.5%, with the highest diversion rate at 21.8%—nearly four times the statewide average of 5.6%. The withheld adjudication rate of 24.5% also exceeded the state average of 16.9%. These outcomes reflect a deliberate prosecutorial emphasis on alternative dispositions and avoiding formal conviction records. The dismissal rate of 1.3% aligned with statewide norms.
Sentences were minimal: average 234 days, median 90 days. Very few defendants received prison time (3.6%), with most serving jail time (31.6%) or remaining on probation. Remarkably, 58.6% retained private attorneys—the highest proportion in this sample—while only 31% used public defenders, reflecting Monroe's affluent island communities and tourism-based economy.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Drug Possession charge in Monroe County makes it in front of a judge. Of 1,682 prosecutor decisions on Drug Possession charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 36.0% — in line with 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 — 52.5% of 551 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 551 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 | 581 | 5.1 months |
| State Prison Facility | 101 | 2.7 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Monroe 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 | 433 | 51.5% | 1.2% |
| Black | 65 | 66.2% | 3.1% |
| Not Available | 16 | 50.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 605 | 51.2% | 1.3% | 11.6 months |
| 2024 | 602 | 57.8% | 2.5% | 7.9 months |
| 2025 | 551 | 52.5% | 1.3% | 7.8 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 | 907 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 796 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 43 |
| Felony | First Degree | 11 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 1 |
Related Charges in Monroe County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 985 | 37.0% | 0.3% |
| Other | 730 | 54.0% | 0.5% |
| Trespassing | 311 | 89.1% | 0.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 272 | 63.6% | 0.7% |
| DUI | 291 | 89.7% | 1.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 240 | 80.0% | 1.2% |
| Battery | 223 | 52.0% | 0.4% |
| Fraud | 138 | 65.2% | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Monroe County?
The guilty rate is 52.5% based on 551 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Monroe County?
Adjudication is withheld in 24.5% 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 Monroe County?
The average sentence is 7.8 months (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
31.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 58.6% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Monroe County, Florida (2025). Based on 551 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/monroe
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Monroe 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 · 551 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com