Homicide in Florida

5,670
Total Cases
84.7%
Guilty Rate
2.0%
Dismissal Rate
1.8%
Withheld Rate
41.5 years
Avg Sentence

Based on 5,670 Homicide cases across 48 Florida counties (2023-2025), the statewide guilty rate is 84.7% with a 2.0% dismissal rate. Adjudication was withheld in 1.8% of cases. The average sentence for convicted defendants is 41.5 years, with an average fine of $1,465.

2.0% of Homicide cases in Florida are dismissed — but outcomes vary widely by county. A defense attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

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Homicide by County

County Cases Guilty Rate Withheld Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
Miami-Dade 1,079 89.2% 5.2% 2.3% 13.4 years
Duval 623 93.3% 0.2% 0.3% 68.3 years
Hillsborough 415 73.5% 0.7% 2.4% 15.2 years
Orange 361 79.5% 5.5% 3.3% 16.3 years
Palm Beach 358 81.3% 0.6% 3.4% 15.2 years
Pinellas 317 83.6% 0.0% 1.6% 17.4 years
Volusia 213 87.8% 0.9% 1.4% 20.3 years
Leon 180 76.7% 0.0% 3.9% 16.3 years
Pasco 158 91.1% 0.0% 1.3% 16.1 years
Polk 155 71.0% 0.0% 0.6% 16.2 years
Escambia 137 73.7% 0.0% 1.5% 521.1 years
Broward 136 86.0% 2.2% 5.9% 10.7 years
St. Lucie 121 84.3% 0.0% 0.8% 15.9 years
Seminole 97 85.6% 4.1% 0.0% 214.4 years
Sarasota 92 93.5% 2.2% 1.1% 17.1 years
Alachua 88 86.4% 0.0% 0.0% 20.1 years
Manatee 86 81.4% 0.0% 4.7% 19.1 years
Marion 84 83.3% 0.0% 1.2% 19.8 years
Osceola 82 75.6% 0.0% 4.9% 232.4 years
Bay 69 87.0% 0.0% 2.9% 79.7 years
Lee 67 94.0% 0.0% 0.0% 16.2 years
Hernando 59 79.7% 3.4% 0.0% 14.3 years
Brevard 58 77.6% 1.7% 1.7% 36.9 years
Citrus 51 86.3% 0.0% 5.9% 42.8 years
Lake 48 77.1% 2.1% 0.0% 20.4 years
Highlands 40 92.5% 0.0% 0.0% 18.4 years
Indian River 35 62.9% 0.0% 11.4% 16.1 years
Collier 32 96.9% 0.0% 3.1% 11.8 years
Columbia 32 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 20.5 years
Desoto 29 96.6% 3.4% 0.0% 18.0 years
Clay 28 92.9% 7.1% 0.0% 15.7 years
Sumter 27 96.3% 0.0% 0.0% 17.8 years
Charlotte 26 88.5% 0.0% 0.0% 12.8 years
Martin 26 80.8% 0.0% 0.0% 16.3 years
Putnam 26 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 19.6 years
Hendry 24 75.0% 0.0% 0.0% 19.1 years
St. Johns 24 83.3% 0.0% 0.0% 10.4 years
Jackson 23 91.3% 0.0% 0.0% 26.0 years
Monroe 23 95.7% 4.3% 0.0% 13.3 years
Santa Rosa 22 81.8% 0.0% 4.5% 20.2 years
Okaloosa 21 81.0% 0.0% 0.0% 11.0 years
Walton 20 75.0% 0.0% 15.0% 17.3 years
Levy 16 93.8% 0.0% 6.2% 21.1 years
Nassau 16 81.2% 6.2% 0.0% 20.2 years
Taylor 13 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 13.5 years
Okeechobee 12 83.3% 0.0% 0.0% 17.4 years
Baker 11 81.8% 18.2% 0.0% 4.4 years
Hardee 10 90.0% 0.0% 0.0% 26.6 years

Year-Over-Year Trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 1,810 87.8% 1.4% 41.8 years
2024 1,823 84.1% 2.7% 32.5 years
2025 2,004 82.6% 2.1% 53.8 years

Related Florida Statute

§ 782 (various) — Homicide
Florida Statute § 782 (various) criminalizes the unlawful killing of another human being, encompassing various degrees from first-degree murder to manslaughter. The statutes establish different levels of culpability based on premeditation, intent, and circumstances surrounding the death.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Homicide in Florida?
The statewide guilty rate for Homicide is 84.7% based on 5,670 cases from 48 counties (2023-2025).
What is the dismissal rate for Homicide in Florida?
The statewide dismissal rate for Homicide is 2.0% across all Florida counties.
How does Homicide sentencing vary by county?
Sentencing for Homicide varies significantly by county. Browse the county breakdown table above to compare guilty rates, dismissal rates, and average sentences across all 48 counties.
What does adjudication withheld mean for Homicide?
Adjudication withheld means the court found sufficient evidence of guilt but chose not to formally convict the defendant. This is unique to Florida and means the charge does not appear as a conviction on the defendant's record, though the arrest record remains. For Homicide, adjudication is withheld in 1.8% of cases statewide.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 5,670 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026