Drug Possession in Pasco County, Florida
2,787 cases (2025) · Pasco County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, drug possession in Pasco County showed high conviction rates compared to the statewide average. Guilty verdicts were reached in 76.0% of cases, with an additional 17.6% resulting in adjudication withheld. Dismissals were rare, occurring in only 0.4% of cases, below the statewide average of 1.4%. Diversion programs matched the statewide rate at 5.4%, but the combination of high guilty verdicts and low dismissals indicated a county prosecution pattern favoring conviction. The 10th Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Pasco County, appears to pursue drug possession cases more aggressively than most Florida jurisdictions.
Confinement and representation patterns reflected the robust prosecution posture. Prison was imposed in 16.9% of cases and jail in 24.5%, with a median sentence of 274 days. Probation averaged 639.6 days. Public defenders represented 68.7% of defendants, while private counsel appeared in only 18.9% of cases, revealing a predominantly indigent client base.
Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 76.0% of 2,787 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 2,787 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 (confined) |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 2,363 | 6.1 months |
| State Prison Facility | 1,366 | 3.1 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Pasco County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Pasco County?
The guilty rate is 76.0% based on 2,787 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Pasco County?
Adjudication is withheld in 17.6% 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?
Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 1 year, 6 months, with an average fine of $200 (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).
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 | 2,404 | 77.1% | 0.4% |
| Black | 350 | 70.9% | 0.3% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,677 | 78.6% | 0.1% | 1 year, 6 months |
| 2024 | 2,829 | 76.5% | 0.1% | 1 year, 5 months |
| 2025 | 2,787 | 76.0% | 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 | 4,990 |
| 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 | 2,247 | 69.5% | 0.8% |
| Battery | 1,413 | 53.6% | 2.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 1,266 | 64.5% | 1.1% |
| Other | 753 | 54.7% | 0.9% |
| Resisting Officer | 784 | 76.4% | 1.1% |
| DUI | 717 | 96.0% | 2.4% |
| Trespassing | 512 | 74.6% | 4.5% |
| Burglary | 479 | 76.4% | 2.7% |
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Pasco County, Florida (2025). Based on 2,787 public court records; last updated September 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 · 2,787 cases (2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com