Kidnapping in Florida

2,482
Total Cases
68.3%
Guilty Rate
1.7%
Dismissal Rate
16.0%
Withheld Rate
11.9 years
Avg Sentence

Based on 2,482 Kidnapping cases across 38 Florida counties (2023-2025), the statewide guilty rate is 68.3% with a 1.7% dismissal rate. Adjudication was withheld in 16.0% of cases. The average sentence for convicted defendants is 11.9 years, with an average fine of $1,532.

1.7% of Kidnapping 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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Kidnapping by County

County Cases Guilty Rate Withheld Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
Miami-Dade 414 62.6% 16.7% 1.4% 7.6 years
Hillsborough 308 66.6% 16.6% 1.0% 4.5 years
Orange 155 53.5% 16.8% 5.2% 4.2 years
Palm Beach 131 77.1% 11.5% 0.8% 4.4 years
Volusia 130 72.3% 17.7% 1.5% 3.8 years
Polk 123 63.4% 20.3% 0.0% 3.8 years
Duval 111 82.9% 12.6% 0.9% 60.9 years
Pinellas 100 78.0% 14.0% 2.0% 6.6 years
Broward 96 69.8% 25.0% 2.1% 6.3 years
Leon 84 67.9% 13.1% 1.2% 5.3 years
Pasco 69 75.4% 5.8% 0.0% 4.8 years
Alachua 64 64.1% 18.8% 1.6% 6.6 years
Marion 59 79.7% 11.9% 0.0% 7.3 years
Lake 47 51.1% 27.7% 6.4% 2.6 years
Sarasota 43 86.0% 14.0% 0.0% 5.5 years
Escambia 40 72.5% 10.0% 7.5% 8.1 years
St. Lucie 40 70.0% 10.0% 2.5% 5.8 years
Seminole 39 59.0% 25.6% 0.0% 183.1 years
Osceola 37 73.0% 16.2% 2.7% 75.0 years
Bay 33 60.6% 9.1% 12.1% 3.1 years
Manatee 33 69.7% 24.2% 3.0% 3.4 years
Brevard 29 69.0% 31.0% 0.0% 2.9 years
Sumter 28 78.6% 10.7% 0.0% 3.5 years
St. Johns 27 70.4% 18.5% 3.7% 8.0 years
Citrus 26 80.8% 3.8% 0.0% 13.3 years
Lee 24 91.7% 8.3% 0.0% 9.6 years
Hernando 23 43.5% 8.7% 0.0% 2.3 years
Hendry 22 77.3% 0.0% 0.0% 7.4 years
Charlotte 20 80.0% 5.0% 0.0% 8.8 years
Clay 18 61.1% 33.3% 0.0% 5.0 years
Okaloosa 18 61.1% 5.6% 0.0% 5.0 years
Santa Rosa 17 76.5% 11.8% 0.0% 6.9 years
Collier 16 75.0% 12.5% 0.0% 6.3 years
Walton 13 30.8% 38.5% 15.4% 2.2 years
Columbia 12 75.0% 16.7% 0.0% 5.5 years
Martin 12 58.3% 33.3% 0.0% 2.1 years
Putnam 11 81.8% 9.1% 0.0% 5.9 years
Highlands 10 70.0% 20.0% 0.0% 5.3 years

Year-Over-Year Trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 807 70.6% 1.7% 10.8 years
2024 774 70.3% 2.2% 12.9 years
2025 850 64.9% 1.3% 15.3 years

Related Florida Statute

§ 787.01 — Kidnapping
Florida Statute § 787.01 criminalizes the unlawful forcible, secret, or by threat confinement, abduction, or imprisonment of another person against their will and without lawful authority. The offense covers situations where a person is confined or taken to facilitate another felony, inflict bodily harm, terrorize the victim, or interfere with government or political functions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Kidnapping in Florida?
The statewide guilty rate for Kidnapping is 68.3% based on 2,482 cases from 38 counties (2023-2025).
What is the dismissal rate for Kidnapping in Florida?
The statewide dismissal rate for Kidnapping is 1.7% across all Florida counties.
How does Kidnapping sentencing vary by county?
Sentencing for Kidnapping varies significantly by county. Browse the county breakdown table above to compare guilty rates, dismissal rates, and average sentences across all 38 counties.
What does adjudication withheld mean for Kidnapping?
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 Kidnapping, adjudication is withheld in 16.0% of cases statewide.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 2,482 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026