Sex Offense in St. Johns County, Florida
242 cases (2025) · St. Johns County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, St. Johns County handled sex offenses substantially more leniently than statewide norms. While 86.4% of defendants were found guilty, 10.3% received adjudication withheld—more than double the statewide average of 4.2%—and 2.1% completed diversion programs without conviction records. The 0.4% dismissal rate fell below the statewide 2.8%, yet withheld adjudications remained the most common alternative to straight conviction.
Sentences averaged 2,430 days (roughly 6.5 years) with a median of 1,826 days. Only 23.1% received prison time, a fraction of harsh-jurisdiction rates. Private counsel appeared in 60.7% of cases—far exceeding statewide representation rates—suggesting defendants' resources significantly influenced whether outcomes resulted in withheld adjudications or full convictions.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 86.4% of 242 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 242 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 | 213 | 8.8 years |
| County Jail | 38 | 5.4 months |
| Confined to Other Diversionary Facility | 1 | 4.0 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Sex Offense sentencing in St. Johns County.
Counsel Analysis (2025)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 178 | 86.0% | 0.6% |
| Black | 18 | 66.7% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 74 | 77.0% | 6.8% | 8.6 years |
| 2024 | 220 | 90.0% | 0.5% | 7.5 years |
| 2025 | 242 | 86.4% | 0.4% | 6.7 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 | 261 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 207 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 29 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 26 |
| Felony | First Degree | 8 |
| Felony | Capital | 3 |
| Felony | Life | 2 |
Related Charges in St. Johns County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 2,234 | 38.7% | 4.6% |
| Drug Possession | 833 | 59.8% | 2.6% |
| Other | 599 | 59.4% | 10.5% |
| Larceny / Theft | 612 | 61.4% | 4.1% |
| Battery | 592 | 42.9% | 2.5% |
| DUI | 374 | 92.5% | 4.5% |
| Trespassing | 284 | 77.1% | 4.9% |
| Resisting Officer | 321 | 63.9% | 3.1% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Sex Offense in St. Johns County?
The guilty rate is 86.4% based on 242 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Sex Offense in St. Johns 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 St. Johns County?
The average sentence is 6.7 years, with an average fine of $2,166 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
28.5% of defendants use a public defender, while 60.7% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Sex Offense in St. Johns County, Florida (2025). Based on 242 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/sex-offense/st-johns
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for St. Johns 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 · 242 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com