Drug Possession in Putnam County, Florida
989 cases (2025) · Putnam County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Putnam County convicted 77.4% of drug possession defendants, with 17.7% adjudication withheld. Dismissals were zero—among Florida's harshest rates—versus statewide average of 1.4 percentage points. Diversion was minimal at 4.9% versus the state average of 5.6%. This reflects uncompromising prosecution where virtually every charge proceeded to adjudication.
Sentencing emphasized extended probation over imprisonment. Median was 90 days; average 272 days. But average probation reached 988.6 days—among Florida's longest—suggesting judges preferred long-term supervision to incarceration. Prison affected 18.1%; jail 60.1%. Notably, fines were highest statewide at $2,594 average, indicating aggressive financial sanctions. Putnam prioritizes long-term probation monitoring and financial penalties over prison time.
Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 77.7% of 989 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 989 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 | 1,671 | 3.0 months |
| State Prison Facility | 571 | 2.3 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in Putnam County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in Putnam County?
The guilty rate is 77.7% based on 989 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in Putnam 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 Putnam County?
Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 9.1 months, with an average fine of $2,594 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
39.4% of defendants use a public defender, while 2.2% 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 | 722 | 76.0% | 0.0% |
| Black | 229 | 85.2% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 841 | 75.4% | 0.4% | 9.4 months |
| 2024 | 944 | 79.8% | 0.2% | 10.0 months |
| 2025 | 989 | 77.7% | 0.0% | 9.1 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 | 1,427 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 1,322 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 15 |
| Felony | First Degree | 10 |
Related Charges in Putnam County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 571 | 65.5% | 0.0% |
| Battery | 237 | 60.3% | 0.8% |
| Larceny / Theft | 244 | 82.8% | 0.0% |
| Other | 181 | 80.1% | 0.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 211 | 84.4% | 0.0% |
| Trespassing | 118 | 91.5% | 0.0% |
| Fraud | 75 | 68.0% | 0.0% |
| Criminal Mischief | 57 | 77.2% | 1.8% |
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in Putnam County, Florida (2025). Based on 989 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/putnam
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Putnam 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 · 989 cases (2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com