Larceny / Theft in Desoto County, Florida
74 cases (2025) · Desoto County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, 74 larceny cases in Desoto County produced high conviction rates (86.5% guilty) with zero dismissals and no diversion programs. The withheld adjudication rate (12.2%) fell slightly below statewide average (15.6%), showing Desoto pursues formal convictions over alternatives, though case volume remains small.
Sentences were extraordinarily severe—averaging 2,663 days (median 1,157 days)—far exceeding statewide theft norms and even more serious charges elsewhere. Prison confinement was modest (21.6%) relative to jail (14.9%), suggesting these lengthy sentences reflect extended probation terms rather than incarceration. Nearly all defendants used public defenders (29.7%), with minimal private counsel (1.4%).
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Larceny / Theft charge in Desoto County makes it in front of a judge. Of 376 prosecutor decisions on Larceny / Theft charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 7.4% — below the 23.7% 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 — 86.5% of 74 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 74 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 |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 68 | 5.5 months |
| State Prison Facility | 59 | 5.5 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Larceny / Theft sentencing in Desoto 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 52 | 86.5% | 0.0% |
| Black | 15 | 86.7% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 127 | 83.5% | 0.0% | 1 year, 3 months |
| 2024 | 149 | 86.6% | 0.0% | 1 year, 9 months |
| 2025 | 74 | 86.5% | 0.0% | 7.3 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 | Third Degree | 170 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 114 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 54 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 9 |
| Felony | First Degree | 3 |
Related Charges in Desoto County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 540 | 42.4% | 3.3% |
| Drug Possession | 444 | 75.2% | 0.0% |
| Other | 122 | 80.3% | 0.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 92 | 75.0% | 1.1% |
| Sex Offense | 87 | 98.9% | 0.0% |
| Battery | 70 | 84.3% | 0.0% |
| Trespassing | 36 | 83.3% | 0.0% |
| Burglary | 34 | 82.4% | 2.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Larceny / Theft in Desoto County?
The guilty rate is 86.5% based on 74 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Larceny / Theft in Desoto County?
Adjudication is withheld in 12.2% 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 Larceny / Theft in Desoto County?
The average sentence is 7.3 years, with an average fine of $86 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
29.7% of defendants use a public defender, while 1.4% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Larceny / Theft in Desoto County, Florida (2025). Based on 74 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/larceny-theft/desoto
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Desoto 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 · 74 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com