Fraud in St. Johns County, Florida

Fraud prosecutions in St. Johns County result in conviction at notably high rates. The guilty verdict rate of 67.4 percent exceeds outcomes statewide, while the dismissal rate of 7.5 percent runs substantially higher than Florida's 2.3 percent average—suggesting St. Johns prosecutors pursue fraud cases more aggressively but also that some charges don't survive scrutiny. The withheld adjudication rate of 10.8 percent trails the statewide average of 19.7 percent, meaning fewer defendants avoid having a conviction recorded. The diversion rate of 13.6 percent exceeds the statewide average of 7.1 percent, indicating the county offers meaningful alternative pathways to avoid formal conviction through program completion.

Sentencing outcomes show mixed severity. The median sentence of 90 days masks significant variation—the average of 393.6 days reflects heavier sentences in some cases. Nearly half of defendants (45.2 percent) receive jail time, while 12.8 percent receive prison sentences. Probation averages over three years. Most defendants are represented by public defenders (54.6 percent), with private counsel in 18.3 percent of cases. Fines average around $590, suggesting many cases involve modest financial amounts.