Larceny / Theft in St. Johns County, Florida

In St. Johns County, larceny and theft cases result in conviction or guilty pleas at a 59.2 percent rate, with another 15.6 percent receiving adjudication withheld—a Florida-specific outcome that shields defendants from having a formal conviction on their record. Combined, these outcomes represent about 75 percent of cases, indicating prosecutors maintain a strong position in this charge category. What stands out is St. Johns County's diversion rate of 21.3 percent, which far exceeds the statewide average of 8.5 percent. This suggests the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit prioritizes pre-trial diversion programs in theft cases, allowing a meaningful subset of defendants to avoid conviction entirely by completing program requirements. Dismissal rates of 3.8 percent are also notably higher than the statewide average of 1.8 percent, suggesting cases are scrutinized more carefully before prosecution proceeds.

Confinement remains common: 40.9 percent of defendants serve jail time and 6.5 percent serve prison sentences. The median sentence of 60 days contrasts sharply with the average of 287.7 days, reflecting wide variation—some cases resolve with minimal time while others draw much longer terms. Probation averages 612.9 days, and fines average $143. Public defenders represent 46.2 percent of defendants compared to private attorneys at 14.4 percent, indicating most defendants cannot afford counsel.