Sex Offense in Broward County, Florida
397 cases (2025) · Broward County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, sex offense convictions in Broward County occurred at 85.1% across 397 cases, with an important alternative pathway: 10.3% received adjudication withheld, more than double the statewide average of 4.2%. This gave defendants meaningful opportunity to avoid conviction records. Dismissals at 4.3% also exceeded the statewide average of 2.8%, suggesting more careful prosecution screening or stronger defense success. The combination indicates moderate prosecutorial aggressiveness compared to other counties.
Sentences averaged 1,838 days with a median of 1,461 days, notably shorter than counties with similar conviction rates. Prison time affected 41.6%—lower than others—while 14.9% served jail sentences. Probation was substantial at 3,575 days, suggesting long-term supervision even when prison was avoided.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Sex Offense charge in Broward County makes it in front of a judge. Of 3,369 prosecutor decisions on Sex Offense charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 28.8% — in line with the 26.5% 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 — 85.1% of 397 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 397 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 |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 364 | 7.3 years |
| County Jail | 131 | 6.9 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Sex Offense 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not Available | 259 | 86.9% | 1.2% |
| Black | 138 | 81.9% | 10.1% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 158 | 79.7% | 2.5% | 3.7 years |
| 2024 | 337 | 82.8% | 2.1% | 6.5 years |
| 2025 | 397 | 85.1% | 4.3% | 5.0 years |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Second Degree | 428 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 174 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 167 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 56 |
| Felony | First Degree | 53 |
| Felony | Life | 10 |
| Felony | Capital | 4 |
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% |
Need a Defense Attorney in Broward County?
Get matched with a local attorney who handles Sex Offense cases. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Sex Offense in Broward County?
The guilty rate is 85.1% based on 397 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Sex Offense in Broward County?
Adjudication is withheld in 10.3% 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 Sex Offense in Broward County?
The average sentence is 5.0 years (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). Sex Offense in Broward County, Florida (2025). Based on 397 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/sex-offense/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 · 397 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com