Homicide in Hillsborough County, Florida
167 cases (2025) · Hillsborough County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
Hillsborough County shows the highest acquittal rate for homicide in the sample—7.2% compared to statewide near-zero rates. In 2025, 71.3% were convicted, 2.4% were dismissed (slightly above the statewide 2.0%), and 7.2% were acquitted. This suggests either weaker cases reaching trial, more rigorous defense, or strict prosecution standards before charging. These outcomes are markedly more nuanced than Alachua's categorical conviction model.
Prison confinement was lower at 67.7% (versus Alachua's 94.4%), with sentences averaging 5,959 days (16.3 years). The defendant profile differed sharply: 85% retained private attorneys, the highest rate in any county shown, versus only 15% with public defenders. This indicates a wealthy defendant base with resources for vigorous defense—likely explaining both the higher acquittal rate and the elevated average fine of $3,038.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Homicide charge in Hillsborough County makes it in front of a judge. Of 351 prosecutor decisions on Homicide charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 13.7% — below the 27.9% 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 — 71.3% of 167 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 167 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 |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 301 | 13.5 years |
| County Jail | 5 | 9.7 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Homicide sentencing in Hillsborough County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 94 | 69.1% | 1.1% |
| White | 71 | 73.2% | 4.2% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 108 | 82.4% | 1.9% | 14.9 years |
| 2024 | 146 | 71.2% | 2.1% | 15.4 years |
| 2025 | 167 | 71.3% | 2.4% | 16.3 years |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Life | 133 |
| Felony | First Degree | 108 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 101 |
| Felony | Capital | 65 |
| Felony | First Degree punishable by life | 14 |
Related Charges in Hillsborough County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 12,179 | 50.5% | 9.0% |
| Drug Possession | 6,254 | 71.9% | 1.9% |
| Larceny / Theft | 3,618 | 68.4% | 2.6% |
| Sex Offense | 4,360 | 85.4% | 1.9% |
| Trespassing | 2,769 | 81.1% | 8.5% |
| Battery | 3,226 | 49.7% | 3.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 2,885 | 69.3% | 3.6% |
| Other | 2,559 | 74.0% | 1.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Homicide in Hillsborough County?
The guilty rate is 71.3% based on 167 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Homicide in Hillsborough County?
Adjudication is withheld in 0.6% 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 Homicide in Hillsborough County?
The average sentence is 16.3 years, with an average fine of $3,038 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
15.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 85.0% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Homicide in Hillsborough County, Florida (2025). Based on 167 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/homicide/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 · 167 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com