Probation Violation in Broward County, Florida
35 cases (2025) · Broward County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Broward County courts handled 35 probation violation cases, revealing patterns distinct from statewide norms. Guilty findings occurred in 68.6% of cases, while 22.9% received adjudication withheld—nearly triple the statewide average of 7%—suggesting judges in this circuit frequently spare convictions while affirming violations. Dismissals were slight at 8.6% versus the state's 5.2%. Notably absent was diversion programming: zero cases were resolved through alternative compliance paths, despite diversion occurring in 1.9% statewide.
Outcomes favored incarceration. Fifty-seven percent of defendants were jailed, with average sentences of 179.5 days and probation set at 365 days. The disconnect between high withheld adjudication and high jail rates is notable—leniency in criminal record outcomes did not translate to avoidance of custody.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Probation Violation charge in Broward County makes it in front of a judge. Of 218 prosecutor decisions on Probation Violation charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 33.5% — below the 37.8% 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 — 68.6% of 35 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 35 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 | 68 | 3.6 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Probation Violation sentencing in Broward County.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 21 | 81.0% | 9.5% |
| Not Available | 13 | 53.8% | 7.7% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34 | 64.7% | 0.0% | 2.7 months |
| 2024 | 50 | 58.0% | 4.0% | 2.5 months |
| 2025 | 35 | 68.6% | 8.6% | 6.0 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 119 |
Related Charges in Broward County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 6,520 | 22.1% | 1.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 3,161 | 62.6% | 1.7% |
| Drug Possession | 2,012 | 54.5% | 12.2% |
| Resisting Officer | 1,556 | 52.6% | 5.3% |
| Trespassing | 1,337 | 55.9% | 4.7% |
| Other | 1,326 | 32.6% | 32.9% |
| Battery | 823 | 53.9% | 8.3% |
| Fraud | 976 | 55.2% | 3.3% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Probation Violation in Broward County?
The guilty rate is 68.6% based on 35 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Probation Violation in Broward County?
Adjudication is withheld in 22.9% 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 Probation Violation in Broward County?
The average sentence is 6.0 months (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
0.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 0.0% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Probation Violation in Broward County, Florida (2025). Based on 35 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/probation-violation/broward
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Broward 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 · 35 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com