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.
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 |
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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