Fraud in Hillsborough County, Florida
1,438 cases (2025) · Hillsborough County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Hillsborough County's large fraud caseload (1,438 cases) showed more defendant-favorable outcomes than statewide norms. Dismissal rates reached 2.7%, above the 1.9% statewide average, indicating selective prosecutorial discretion. Convictions occurred in 65.7% of cases, and adjudication withheld was used in 16.1%—below the 19.4% statewide rate. Notably, Hillsborough diverted 14.3% of fraud cases, more than double the 6.4% statewide diversion rate, reflecting formal programs allowing case resolution through restitution and compliance rather than conviction.
Fraud defendants in Hillsborough who were convicted faced moderate confinement: confined defendants averaged 501 days with a median of 270 days, and 37.4% were incarcerated (11.8% prison, 25.6% jail). Probation averaged 1,147 days. Fines averaged only $53. Private attorneys represented 86.7% of defendants, among the highest private counsel rates shown.
Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Fraud charge in Hillsborough County makes it in front of a judge. Of 8,304 prosecutor decisions on Fraud charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 38.3% — above the 33.7% statewide rate. These decisions happen early in a case, before trial.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, State Attorney case data (2023-2025). Rates are per charge, not per defendant — a dropped charge often reflects a plea agreement on another charge in the same case, not the case going away. Percentages are of charges receiving a prosecution decision; transfers between courts are excluded. Court outcome data on this page is a separate dataset covering cases that reached disposition. Statewide charging patterns: The Florida Prosecution Report.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 65.7% of 1,438 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 1,438 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 | 1,224 | 5.7 months |
| State Prison Facility | 492 | 3.0 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Fraud sentencing in Hillsborough County.
Need a Defense Attorney in Hillsborough County?
Get matched with a local attorney who handles Fraud cases. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Fraud in Hillsborough County?
The guilty rate is 65.7% based on 1,438 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Fraud in Hillsborough County?
Adjudication is withheld in 16.1% 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 Fraud in Hillsborough County?
Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 1 year, 5 months, with an average fine of $53 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
13.3% of defendants use a public defender, while 86.7% 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 | 783 | 66.0% | 1.7% |
| Black | 614 | 67.3% | 4.1% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,391 | 67.5% | 1.9% | 1 year, 3 months |
| 2024 | 1,355 | 60.6% | 1.3% | 1 year |
| 2025 | 1,438 | 65.7% | 2.7% | 1 year, 5 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 | 2,306 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 1,454 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 269 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 128 |
| Felony | First Degree | 27 |
Related Charges in Hillsborough County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 12,131 | 50.7% | 9.1% |
| Drug Possession | 6,203 | 72.4% | 1.9% |
| Larceny / Theft | 3,598 | 68.8% | 2.6% |
| Sex Offense | 4,442 | 85.7% | 1.9% |
| Trespassing | 2,769 | 81.1% | 8.6% |
| Battery | 3,194 | 50.4% | 3.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 2,875 | 69.5% | 3.6% |
| Other | 2,542 | 74.3% | 1.9% |
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Fraud in Hillsborough County, Florida (2025). Based on 1,438 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/fraud/hillsborough
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Hillsborough 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 · 1,438 cases (2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com