Sex Offense in Florida

42,364
Total Cases
83.7%
Guilty Rate
2.6%
Dismissal Rate
5.1%
Withheld Rate
14.5 years
Avg Sentence

Based on 42,364 Sex Offense cases across 64 Florida counties (2023-2025), the statewide guilty rate is 83.7% with a 2.6% dismissal rate. Adjudication was withheld in 5.1% of cases. The average sentence for convicted defendants is 14.5 years, with an average fine of $1,154.

2.6% of Sex Offense cases in Florida are dismissed — but outcomes vary widely by county. A defense attorney can review your situation — free, no obligation.

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Sex Offense by County

County Cases Guilty Rate Withheld Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
Hillsborough 9,729 84.7% 2.4% 1.9% 8.4 years
Palm Beach 2,820 88.7% 1.6% 0.6% 8.4 years
Polk 2,588 57.3% 27.0% 0.6% 6.2 years
Sarasota 2,099 89.1% 1.0% 1.5% 26.1 years
Pinellas 2,055 91.0% 3.6% 2.7% 6.5 years
Volusia 2,019 89.6% 2.0% 3.3% 25.4 years
Miami-Dade 1,711 75.2% 10.9% 4.4% 6.9 years
Marion 1,463 93.6% 1.3% 0.1% 11.3 years
Martin 1,072 97.2% 2.2% 0.3% 51.3 years
Orange 1,067 60.2% 8.6% 8.3% 5.4 years
Manatee 1,001 85.7% 4.3% 7.5% 12.7 years
Duval 937 81.9% 13.6% 0.5% 10.7 years
Seminole 930 76.8% 9.6% 0.4% 41.6 years
Lake 920 87.3% 0.9% 6.3% 8.6 years
Okaloosa 816 90.7% 0.9% 3.8% 6.3 years
Broward 811 83.2% 11.5% 3.2% 5.6 years
Collier 782 95.4% 1.3% 0.1% 17.9 years
Escambia 765 79.5% 2.4% 14.0% 91.7 years
Bay 758 79.7% 6.3% 3.0% 12.9 years
Pasco 735 90.3% 3.0% 0.4% 9.9 years
Alachua 693 92.2% 1.2% 0.6% 6.9 years
St. Lucie 649 75.7% 1.7% 3.4% 7.3 years
St. Johns 536 86.6% 9.5% 1.3% 7.5 years
Osceola 504 81.5% 2.4% 8.7% 75.6 years
Santa Rosa 482 81.7% 4.8% 9.1% 9.2 years
Hernando 390 92.1% 4.4% 0.3% 10.4 years
Citrus 349 93.7% 0.3% 0.9% 8.8 years
Leon 325 61.2% 7.4% 4.0% 7.3 years
Clay 271 97.4% 1.5% 1.1% 8.3 years
Desoto 270 74.8% 0.4% 0.0% 11.3 years
Highlands 269 86.2% 2.2% 3.7% 9.6 years
Sumter 249 85.9% 1.6% 0.8% 10.2 years
Walton 230 70.0% 1.3% 15.7% 7.9 years
Charlotte 218 85.8% 4.1% 0.0% 9.8 years
Putnam 210 90.5% 0.0% 0.0% 12.1 years
Brevard 167 68.9% 23.4% 0.6% 77.3 years
Indian River 123 91.9% 0.8% 0.0% 5.9 years
Columbia 122 90.2% 4.1% 0.0% 8.0 years
Monroe 119 89.9% 2.5% 0.8% 5.6 years
Suwannee 118 99.2% 0.0% 0.0% 10.7 years
Levy 94 97.9% 1.1% 1.1% 7.5 years
Jackson 91 94.5% 4.4% 1.1% 6.5 years
Wakulla 76 80.3% 1.3% 9.2% 6.2 years
Bradford 70 91.4% 5.7% 0.0% 6.2 years
Holmes 70 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 8.7 years
Nassau 67 88.1% 9.0% 0.0% 4.5 years
Hendry 58 67.2% 1.7% 20.7% 8.1 years
Okeechobee 57 86.0% 3.5% 7.0% 4.4 years
Gulf 54 79.6% 0.0% 0.0% 6.1 years
Hamilton 46 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 6.2 years
Franklin 43 79.1% 9.3% 0.0% 6.2 years
Washington 43 79.1% 11.6% 0.0% 4.9 years
Gilchrist 27 77.8% 0.0% 0.0% 3.1 years
Baker 23 78.3% 0.0% 0.0% 5.3 years
Lafayette 23 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3.4 years
Calhoun 22 86.4% 0.0% 0.0% 5.1 years
Dixie 19 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 5.0 years
Madison 19 94.7% 5.3% 0.0% 12.8 years
Taylor 19 84.2% 10.5% 0.0% 2.9 years
Hardee 17 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4.8 years
Liberty 15 40.0% 6.7% 0.0% 1 year, 6 months
Glades 14 92.9% 0.0% 0.0% 10.1 years
Jefferson 13 76.9% 7.7% 15.4% 4.7 years
Union 12 66.7% 16.7% 0.0% 17.0 years

Year-Over-Year Trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 12,241 84.2% 2.8% 15.8 years
2024 14,285 83.8% 2.5% 14.4 years
2025 15,798 83.2% 2.4% 13.2 years

Related Florida Statute

§ 794 / § 800 (various) — Sex Offense
Florida Statutes § 794 and § 800 (various sections) criminalize a broad range of sexual offenses including sexual battery, lewd and lascivious conduct, and unlawful sexual activity with minors. These statutes establish severe penalties that vary based on the victim's age, the defendant's age, and the specific nature of the sexual conduct.

Related Guides

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Sex Offense in Florida?
The statewide guilty rate for Sex Offense is 83.7% based on 42,364 cases from 64 counties (2023-2025).
What is the dismissal rate for Sex Offense in Florida?
The statewide dismissal rate for Sex Offense is 2.6% across all Florida counties.
How does Sex Offense sentencing vary by county?
Sentencing for Sex Offense varies significantly by county. Browse the county breakdown table above to compare guilty rates, dismissal rates, and average sentences across all 64 counties.
What does adjudication withheld mean for Sex Offense?
Adjudication withheld means the court found sufficient evidence of guilt but chose not to formally convict the defendant. This is unique to Florida and means the charge does not appear as a conviction on the defendant's record, though the arrest record remains. For Sex Offense, adjudication is withheld in 5.1% of cases statewide.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 42,364 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026