Hit and Run in Brevard County, Florida

Hit and run cases in Brevard County resolve very differently than statewide patterns. Nearly half of all cases result in adjudication withheld, almost 20 percentage points above the statewide average of 31.2 percent. This outcome—where guilt is found but no conviction is recorded—dominates Brevard's approach to the charge. Only 44.9 percent of defendants are convicted outright, and dismissals are rare at 2.6 percent, slightly higher than the statewide 1.8 percent. The absence of any diversion activity is notable; statewide, 8.2 percent of hit and run cases are diverted, but Brevard prosecutors appear to route cases toward adjudication rather than pre-trial programs.

Sentences reflect the charge's seriousness but vary dramatically. The median sentence of 28 days contrasts sharply with an average of 282 days, indicating most defendants receive light sentences while a smaller group faces much longer terms. Prison confinement is uncommon at 1.9 percent, though jail time affects 13.5 percent of sentenced defendants. Probation is standard, averaging nearly 900 days. Only 15.4 percent of defendants are represented by private counsel; 13.5 percent have public defenders, suggesting either many proceed unrepresented or representation data is incomplete.