Homicide in Monroe County, Florida
21 cases (2023-2025) · Monroe County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2023-2025 data
Monroe County has the state's most restrictive homicide outcomes. The 95.2% guilty rate is exceptionally high, and there are zero dismissals and zero acquittals across 21 cases—substantially below the 1.9% statewide dismissal rate. An additional 4.8% of cases result in adjudication withheld. This means 100% of Monroe County homicide cases result in either guilt or withheld adjudication, an outcome rarely seen elsewhere in Florida. The State Attorney's prosecution approach effectively guarantees formal accountability.
Sentences reflect high-stakes prosecution. Prison terms are imposed in 81% of cases, with an average sentence of 4,496 days and median of 2,557 days. Jail terms account for an additional 4.8%. Probation averages 3,091 days. The defendant population in Monroe County differs from Lake County: 57.1% retain private attorneys and only 23.8% use public defenders, suggesting higher-income defendants. Despite this, conviction and imprisonment remain near-universal.
Figures cover 21 cases (2023-2025) — fewer than 30 cases resolved in 2025, so multi-year figures are shown.
Outcome Breakdown (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2023-2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 95.2% of 21 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 21 cases · 2023-2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Sentencing Breakdown (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2023-2025)
Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).
| Confinement Type | Count | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 17 | 12.3 years |
| County Jail | 1 | 0 year, 12 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Homicide sentencing in Monroe 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 | 16 | 93.8% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2023-2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 88.9% | 0.0% | 14.6 years |
| 2025 | 10 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 10.3 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Second Degree | 11 |
| Felony | First Degree | 6 |
| Felony | Life | 2 |
| Felony | Capital | 1 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 1 |
Related Charges in Monroe County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 985 | 37.0% | 0.3% |
| Other | 730 | 54.0% | 0.5% |
| Drug Possession | 551 | 52.5% | 1.3% |
| Trespassing | 311 | 89.1% | 0.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 272 | 63.6% | 0.7% |
| DUI | 291 | 89.7% | 1.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 240 | 80.0% | 1.2% |
| Battery | 223 | 52.0% | 0.4% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Homicide in Monroe County?
The guilty rate is 95.2% based on 21 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Homicide in Monroe County?
Adjudication is withheld in 4.8% of cases (2023-2025). 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 Monroe County?
The average sentence is 12.3 years (2023-2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
23.8% of defendants use a public defender, while 57.1% retain private counsel (2023-2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Homicide in Monroe County, Florida (2023-2025). Based on 21 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/homicide/monroe
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Monroe 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 · 21 cases (2023-2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com