Homicide in Okaloosa County, Florida
22 cases (2023-2025) · Okaloosa County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2023-2025 data
Okaloosa County convicts defendants in 81.8 percent of homicide cases. Unlike most counties, acquittals occur in 4.5 percent of cases—a notably higher rate than other jurisdictions—suggesting the local State Attorney faces greater evidentiary challenges or pursues a higher proportion of contested cases than peer counties.
Defendants average roughly 11 years in prison, below the statewide median of 15 years, with 73 percent receiving prison time. Public defenders represent over 70 percent of defendants, consistent with the indigent population facing homicide charges. Average fines of $4,583 are assessed in some cases.
Figures cover 22 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 — 81.8% of 22 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 22 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 | 16 | 11.0 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Homicide sentencing in Okaloosa 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 | 13 | 76.9% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2023-2025)
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Second Degree | 17 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
| Felony | Life | 2 |
| Felony | NULL | 1 |
Related Charges in Okaloosa County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 1,352 | 39.9% | 4.7% |
| Other | 1,311 | 24.3% | 1.2% |
| Drug Possession | 1,396 | 78.5% | 0.4% |
| Larceny / Theft | 591 | 71.1% | 0.8% |
| Resisting Officer | 460 | 67.4% | 2.4% |
| Battery | 393 | 52.2% | 1.8% |
| DUI | 197 | 95.9% | 1.0% |
| Trespassing | 326 | 77.3% | 0.3% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Homicide in Okaloosa County?
The guilty rate is 81.8% based on 22 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Homicide in Okaloosa County?
Adjudication is withheld in 0.0% 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 Okaloosa County?
The average sentence is 11.0 years, with an average fine of $4,583 (2023-2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
72.7% of defendants use a public defender, while 13.6% retain private counsel (2023-2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Homicide in Okaloosa County, Florida (2023-2025). Based on 22 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/homicide/okaloosa
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Okaloosa 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 · 22 cases (2023-2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com