Drug Possession in Pasco County, Florida
2,788 cases (2025) · Pasco County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Pasco County's drug possession cases show outcomes closely tracking statewide norms in diversion and withheld adjudication, but with a low dismissal rate of 0.4% versus 1.4% statewide. Withheld adjudications at 18.3% slightly exceed the statewide 16.9%, and diversion at 5.5% matches the state average, indicating Pasco generally follows statewide prosecution practices while slightly favoring withheld adjudications as an alternative to conviction.
Pasco County defendants received an average sentence of 539 days with a notably high median of 274 days, indicating sustained substantial sentences. Probation averaged 654 days. Pasco showed a distinctive incarceration pattern with only 24.1% receiving jail time—the lowest among large counties—while 16.4% received prison, suggesting more defendants received probation-only outcomes. Representation was heavily public defender-based at 68.7%, with limited private counsel at 18.9%.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 75.3% of 2,788 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 2,788 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 | 2,348 | 6.1 months |
| State Prison Facility | 1,341 | 3.0 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Pasco 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 | 2,403 | 76.4% | 0.4% |
| Black | 348 | 70.7% | 0.3% |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 10 | 30.0% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,677 | 78.6% | 0.1% | 1 year, 6 months |
| 2024 | 2,829 | 76.1% | 0.1% | 1 year, 4 months |
| 2025 | 2,788 | 75.3% | 0.4% | 1 year, 6 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 | 4,991 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 3,231 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 62 |
| Felony | First Degree | 6 |
| Felony | First Degree punishable by life | 2 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 2 |
Related Charges in Pasco County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 2,250 | 69.2% | 0.8% |
| Battery | 1,446 | 52.2% | 2.6% |
| Larceny / Theft | 1,264 | 64.2% | 1.1% |
| Other | 756 | 54.5% | 0.9% |
| Resisting Officer | 788 | 76.0% | 1.1% |
| DUI | 718 | 95.8% | 2.4% |
| Trespassing | 519 | 73.4% | 4.4% |
| Burglary | 480 | 75.8% | 2.7% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Pasco County?
The guilty rate is 75.3% based on 2,788 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Pasco County?
Adjudication is withheld in 18.3% 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 Pasco County?
The average sentence is 1 year, 6 months, with an average fine of $198 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
68.7% of defendants use a public defender, while 18.9% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Pasco County, Florida (2025). Based on 2,788 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/pasco
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Pasco 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 · 2,788 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com