Perjury in Pasco County, Florida

Perjury in Pasco County results in conviction at notably high rates compared to statewide patterns. Nearly 60 percent of defendants are found guilty, and another 29 percent receive adjudication withheld, meaning the judge found guilt but the conviction does not appear on their record. Together, these outcomes account for nearly 90 percent of cases. The dismissal rate of 2.7 percent is slightly higher than the statewide average of 1.7 percent, but acquittals are rare. The withheld adjudication rate of 29.2 percent exceeds the statewide average of 20.5 percent, suggesting Pasco judges use this option more frequently than peers elsewhere in Florida, potentially signaling willingness to resolve cases without formal conviction records.

Sentences average 1,313 days with roughly equal jail and prison exposure. About 17 percent of defendants receive prison time and 10 percent receive jail. Most defendants are represented by public defenders (52 percent), while just over one-quarter hired private counsel. The diversion rate of 8.8 percent is above the statewide average of 6.2 percent, indicating a modest number of perjury cases are diverted away from trial through pretrial programs that allow completion-based dismissal.