Perjury in Duval County, Florida

Perjury cases in Duval County result in conviction at notably high rates. Seventy percent of defendants are found guilty, and another 28 percent receive adjudication withheld—a Florida-specific outcome where the judge finds guilt but stops short of formal conviction. Combined, 98 percent of perjury cases end in guilt findings, compared to a statewide withheld rate of just 20.5 percent. Dismissals occur in only 1.4 percent of cases, slightly below the statewide average of 1.7 percent. The absence of any diversion—despite a statewide average of 6.2 percent—suggests the State Attorney in this circuit treats perjury as a serious offense unsuitable for pre-trial diversion programs.

Sentences reflect this severity. While median jail time is brief at 23 days, the average stretches to 459 days, indicating some defendants receive substantially longer terms. Nearly half of all defendants spend time in jail, and 17.7 percent receive prison sentences. Probation is common, averaging 530 days. Defense is split between public defenders (34.7 percent) and private attorneys (31.3 percent), leaving roughly a third represented by other counsel types. Fines average $133, suggesting monetary penalties are not the primary sanction in perjury prosecutions in this county.