Drug Possession in St. Johns County, Florida

833 cases (2025) · St. Johns County courts

Updated July 2026 · 2025 data

In 2025, St. Johns County showed the most lenient drug possession outcomes statewide. Guilty convictions were 59.8%; 24.6% adjudication withheld (guilt found but no conviction record). Dismissals reached 2.6%, nearly double the statewide average of 1.4 percentage points. Diversion was 12.2%, more than double the state average of 5.6%. Combined, 81% avoided formal conviction records—the highest non-conviction rate in Florida—suggesting prioritization of second chances.

Sentences were proportionate. Median was 60 days; average probation 807.8 days. Prison was rare (7.2%); jail affected 48.3%. Fines averaged $141—lower than most counties. Public defenders represented 63.1% of cases, indicating economically disadvantaged defendant population. The overall pattern suggests judges and prosecutors view possession as rehabilitative rather than punitive, prioritizing community integration over criminal records.

833
Total Cases (2025)
59.8%
Guilty Rate
24.6%
Withheld Rate
2.6%
Dismissal Rate
▲ vs 1.6% statewide, 2025
6.9 months
Avg Sentence
I Outcomes

Outcome Breakdown (2025)

Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)

Guilty
59.8% (498)
Withheld
24.6% (205)
Diversion
12.2% (102)
Dismissed
2.6% (22)
Acquitted
0.0% (0)

Largest outcomeGuilty — 59.8% of 833 cases.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 833 cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com

II Sentencing

Sentencing Breakdown (2025)

Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2025)

6.9 months
Avg Sentence
2.0 months
Median Sentence
2.2 years
Avg Probation
$141
Avg Fine
7.2%
Prison Rate
48.3%
Jail Rate

Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).

Confinement Type Count Avg Sentence
County Jail 1,517 3.1 months
State Prison Facility 230 3.1 years
Confined to Other Diversionary Facility 1 1 year, 1 months

Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Drug Possession sentencing in St. Johns County.

Counsel Analysis (2025)

526
Public Defender
63.5% guilty · 2.5% dismissed
142
Private Attorney
35.2% guilty · 1.4% dismissed
66
Conflict Counsel
83.3% guilty · 4.5% dismissed
22
Court Private or Assigned Counsel
81.8% guilty · 0.0% dismissed
10
Self or Unrepresented
60.0% guilty · 0.0% dismissed

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 589 60.8% 3.6%
Black 204 61.3% 0.5%

Age Distribution (2025)

6.1%
Under 21
21.4%
21-29
32.7%
30-39
24.7%
40-49
8.5%
50-59
6.6%
60+

Year-Over-Year Trends

Exhibit · Disposition trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 1,063 68.1% 2.4% 8.8 months
2024 930 70.8% 1.8% 7.2 months
2025 833 59.8% 2.6% 6.9 months

Quarterly detail

0.0%
1.7%
4.8%
2.2%
2.4%
2.3%
0.0%
2.6%
5.1%
1.4%
2.8%
0.6%
Q1’23 Q2’23 Q3’23 Q4’23 Q1’24 Q2’24 Q3’24 Q4’24 Q1’25 Q2’25 Q3’25 Q4’25

Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.

Charge Level Breakdown

Level Degree Cases
Misdemeanor First Degree 1,504
Felony Third Degree 1,267
Felony Second Degree 50
Felony First Degree 3
Misdemeanor Second Degree 2

Related Charges in St. Johns County

Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.

Charge Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
Traffic Offense 2,234 38.7% 4.6%
Other 599 59.4% 10.5%
Larceny / Theft 612 61.4% 4.1%
Battery 592 42.9% 2.5%
DUI 374 92.5% 4.5%
Trespassing 284 77.1% 4.9%
Resisting Officer 321 63.9% 3.1%
Sex Offense 242 86.4% 0.4%
III Getting Help

Need a Defense Attorney in St. Johns County?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Drug Possession in St. Johns County?

The guilty rate is 59.8% based on 833 cases (2025).

How often is adjudication withheld for Drug Possession in St. Johns County?

Adjudication is withheld in 24.6% 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 St. Johns County?

The average sentence is 6.9 months, with an average fine of $141 (2025).

What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?

63.1% of defendants use a public defender, while 17.0% retain private counsel (2025).

Cite this page

FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Drug Possession in St. Johns County, Florida (2025). Based on 833 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/drug-possession/st-johns

About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for St. Johns 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 · 833 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com