DUI in St. Johns County, Florida
374 cases (2025) · St. Johns County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, DUI prosecutions in St. Johns County resulted in 92.5% conviction, with only 4.5% dismissed—notably higher than the 1.4% statewide dismissal rate. Withheld adjudication occurred in 1.6% of cases, matching statewide patterns, but diversion participation was just 0.8%, significantly below the 2.1% statewide rate. The high conviction rate is typical for DUI charges, but the elevated dismissal rate suggests some cases do not withstand scrutiny in this county.
Sentences for DUI convictions are moderate. Defendants faced an average of 88 days and median of 30 days in confinement, with 24.3% serving jail time and under 1% receiving prison sentences. Probation averaged 391 days, and fines averaged $1,189. The relatively low rate of jail confinement reflects a more moderate approach to first-time and lower-level DUI prosecutions.
Where You Are in the Process
Exhibit · DUI case process
Request a formal review hearing with the DMV (DHSMV) to challenge your license suspension. Missing this deadline means an automatic suspension.
Arraignment. Charges are formally presented. Pre-trial diversion may be offered.
Pre-trial period. Your attorney negotiates with the State Attorney's office. 2.4% of DUI cases in St. Johns County receive adjudication withheld or diversion.
Typical resolution time for DUI cases in St. Johns County.
Source: Florida Statutes & DHSMV administrative rules — general process overview, not legal advice.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 92.5% of 374 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 374 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 | 330 | 1.8 months |
| State Prison Facility | 13 | 2.5 years |
| Confined to Other Diversionary Facility | 1 | 10 days |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: DUI sentencing in St. Johns 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 | 302 | 93.4% | 3.6% |
| Black | 34 | 88.2% | 5.9% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 489 | 96.7% | 1.8% | 2.8 months |
| 2024 | 479 | 88.3% | 7.3% | 2.8 months |
| 2025 | 374 | 92.5% | 4.5% | 2.9 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 | 900 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 398 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 43 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 1 |
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% |
| Drug Possession | 833 | 59.8% | 2.6% |
| Other | 599 | 59.4% | 10.5% |
| Larceny / Theft | 612 | 61.4% | 4.1% |
| Battery | 592 | 42.9% | 2.5% |
| Trespassing | 284 | 77.1% | 4.9% |
| Resisting Officer | 321 | 63.9% | 3.1% |
| Sex Offense | 242 | 86.4% | 0.4% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for DUI in St. Johns County?
The guilty rate is 92.5% based on 374 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for DUI in St. Johns County?
Adjudication is withheld in 1.6% 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 DUI in St. Johns County?
The average sentence is 2.9 months, with an average fine of $1,189 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
39.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 45.5% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). DUI in St. Johns County, Florida (2025). Based on 374 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/dui/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 · 374 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com