Fraud in Okeechobee County, Florida
37 cases (2025) · Okeechobee County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Okeechobee County pursued fraud with the highest conviction rate in the dataset at 76%, paired with an unusually high dismissal rate of 5.4%. The combination suggests a two-track approach: cases deemed prosecutable moved to conviction with exceptional success, while marginal cases were dismissed. No diversion programs were used, unlike the statewide norm of 6.5%, indicating the prosecutor here demanded trial or plea outcomes rather than program-based resolution.
Sentenced defendants faced substantial incarceration: over 56% were imprisoned or jailed. Median sentences of 365 days (one year) exceeded averages in most other counties, with fines reaching $1,100—the highest in this fraud dataset. Public defenders handled 62% of cases, reflecting limited private counsel access in this rural area.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Fraud charge in Okeechobee County makes it in front of a judge. Of 472 prosecutor decisions on Fraud charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 73.1% — 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 — 75.7% of 37 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 37 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 | 45 | 5.2 months |
| State Prison Facility | 24 | 2.8 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Fraud sentencing in Okeechobee County.
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
Demographics (2023-2025)
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 | 80 | 68.8% | 2.5% |
| Black | 23 | 56.5% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 41 | 65.9% | 0.0% | 1 year, 12 months |
| 2024 | 51 | 62.7% | 0.0% | 0 year, 12 months |
| 2025 | 37 | 75.7% | 5.4% | 11.0 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 86 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 33 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 5 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 5 |
Related Charges in Okeechobee County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 506 | 61.7% | 0.6% |
| Drug Possession | 314 | 76.1% | 8.3% |
| Other | 221 | 58.8% | 17.2% |
| Contempt of Court | 137 | 12.4% | 87.6% |
| Larceny / Theft | 137 | 85.4% | 1.5% |
| Battery | 131 | 75.6% | 8.4% |
| DUI | 98 | 95.9% | 1.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 87 | 81.6% | 6.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Fraud in Okeechobee County?
The guilty rate is 75.7% based on 37 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Fraud in Okeechobee County?
Adjudication is withheld in 18.9% 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 Okeechobee County?
The average sentence is 11.0 months, with an average fine of $1,100 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
62.2% of defendants use a public defender, while 10.8% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Fraud in Okeechobee County, Florida (2025). Based on 37 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/fraud/okeechobee
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Okeechobee 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 · 37 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com