Larceny / Theft in Lake County, Florida
1,004 cases (2025) · Lake County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, 1,004 larceny cases in Lake County reflected strong diversion orientation—20.6% of cases went through diversion programs, nearly double the statewide average (8.7%). Guilty verdicts accounted for 65.9%, while withheld adjudication (11.5%) fell below state levels (15.6%). The overall pattern emphasized alternatives to conviction.
Sentences averaged 319 days (median 150 days), shorter than most counties. Confinement was minimal—only 5.7% imprisoned, 21.5% jailed—reinforcing the diversion-favoring approach. Public defenders represented 57.4% of defendants, with private counsel at 23.6%, indicating a mixed-income population.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Larceny / Theft charge in Lake County makes it in front of a judge. Of 2,633 prosecutor decisions on Larceny / Theft charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 19.9% — 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 — 65.9% of 1,004 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 1,004 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 | 558 | 4.5 months |
| State Prison Facility | 158 | 2.6 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Larceny / Theft sentencing in Lake 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 | 708 | 65.3% | 1.1% |
| Black | 277 | 70.0% | 0.4% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 792 | 71.2% | 1.5% | 11.2 months |
| 2024 | 1,051 | 67.5% | 1.0% | 9.7 months |
| 2025 | 1,004 | 65.9% | 0.9% | 10.6 months |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 929 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 825 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 796 |
| Felony | NULL | 138 |
| Misdemeanor | NULL | 137 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 20 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
Related Charges in Lake County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 2,230 | 74.0% | 0.5% |
| Drug Possession | 1,391 | 79.4% | 0.4% |
| Other | 1,817 | 14.0% | 0.9% |
| Battery | 654 | 56.6% | 1.4% |
| Resisting Officer | 565 | 78.8% | 1.1% |
| DUI | 417 | 99.0% | 1.0% |
| Trespassing | 426 | 88.3% | 1.9% |
| Sex Offense | 342 | 90.4% | 6.1% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Larceny / Theft in Lake County?
The guilty rate is 65.9% based on 1,004 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Larceny / Theft in Lake County?
Adjudication is withheld in 11.5% 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 Lake County?
The average sentence is 10.6 months, with an average fine of $244 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
57.4% of defendants use a public defender, while 23.6% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Larceny / Theft in Lake County, Florida (2025). Based on 1,004 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/larceny-theft/lake
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Lake 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 · 1,004 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com