Larceny / Theft in Santa Rosa County, Florida
545 cases (2025) · Santa Rosa County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Santa Rosa County secured guilty verdicts in 64.6% of 545 larceny cases. Dismissals were rare at 0.4%, well below the statewide average of 1.7%, reflecting aggressive prosecution posture. Withheld adjudications (22.0%) substantially exceeded state norms (15.6%)—the highest rate among comparable counties. Diversion programs were employed in 12.5% of cases, above statewide averages of 8.7%.
Sentences averaged about 10 months with a median of four months, indicating many cases resolved quickly. Jail confinement occurred in 34.1% of cases while only 7.2% received prison sentences. Average probation lasted approximately 16 months. Notably, only 40.7% of defendants relied on public defenders—substantially below state patterns—with 12.1% hiring private counsel.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Larceny / Theft charge in Santa Rosa County makes it in front of a judge. Of 1,114 prosecutor decisions on Larceny / Theft charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 24.1% — in line with 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 — 64.6% of 545 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 545 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 | 616 | 4.9 months |
| State Prison Facility | 156 | 3.2 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Larceny / Theft sentencing in Santa Rosa 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 | 422 | 66.6% | 0.5% |
| Black | 101 | 63.4% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 689 | 65.6% | 0.0% | 1 year, 2 months |
| 2024 | 566 | 66.3% | 0.5% | 10.4 months |
| 2025 | 545 | 64.6% | 0.4% | 10.7 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 | 775 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 539 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 453 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 21 |
| Felony | First Degree | 12 |
Related Charges in Santa Rosa County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 1,307 | 60.4% | 4.9% |
| Drug Possession | 961 | 74.1% | 0.4% |
| Other | 386 | 67.4% | 6.7% |
| Battery | 410 | 55.9% | 0.7% |
| DUI | 397 | 93.7% | 1.8% |
| Resisting Officer | 317 | 74.4% | 2.2% |
| Sex Offense | 157 | 80.3% | 12.1% |
| Trespassing | 144 | 84.0% | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Larceny / Theft in Santa Rosa County?
The guilty rate is 64.6% based on 545 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Larceny / Theft in Santa Rosa County?
Adjudication is withheld in 22.0% 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 Santa Rosa County?
The average sentence is 10.7 months, with an average fine of $142 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
40.7% of defendants use a public defender, while 12.1% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Larceny / Theft in Santa Rosa County, Florida (2025). Based on 545 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/larceny-theft/santa-rosa
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Santa Rosa 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 · 545 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com