Sex Offense in Wakulla County, Florida
76 cases (2023-2025) · Wakulla County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2023-2025 data
Sex offense cases in Wakulla County result in guilty verdicts at a notably high rate of 80.3 percent, well above the statewide pattern where adjudication is withheld in cases more often. The dismissal rate here sits at 9.2 percent—more than three times the statewide average of 2.6 percent—suggesting Wakulla County prosecutors either screen cases more selectively or encounter higher rates of evidentiary problems. Adjudication withheld occurs in only 1.3 percent of cases locally versus 4.4 percent statewide, meaning most convicted defendants receive a formal conviction record rather than the alternative Florida outcome that leaves their record clean.
Sentences average 2,271 days with a median of 1,826 days, reflecting substantial prison exposure. About one-third of defendants receive prison time while another 15.8 percent face jail confinement. Probation accompanies most sentences, averaging 1,744 days. The data shows 11.8 percent of defendants are represented by public defenders and 5.3 percent by private counsel, leaving a significant gap in reported representation—likely indicating self-representation or missing data in this small county sample of 76 cases.
Figures cover 76 cases (2023-2025) — fewer than 30 cases resolved in 2025, so multi-year figures are shown.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Sex Offense charge in Wakulla County makes it in front of a judge. Of 83 prosecutor decisions on Sex Offense charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 1.2% — below 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 (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2023-2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 80.3% of 76 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 76 cases · 2023-2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Sentencing Breakdown (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2023-2025)
Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).
| Confinement Type | Count | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 25 | 9.1 years |
| County Jail | 12 | 3.1 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Sex Offense sentencing in Wakulla County.
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
Demographics (2023-2025)
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 | 72 | 81.9% | 9.7% |
Age Distribution (2023-2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 18 | 61.1% | 33.3% | 12.3 years |
| 2024 | 42 | 85.7% | 2.4% | 3.1 months |
| 2025 | 16 | 87.5% | 0.0% | 6.6 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 55 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 8 |
| Felony | Life | 6 |
| Felony | Capital | 3 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
| Felony | First Degree punishable by life | 1 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 1 |
Related Charges in Wakulla County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 235 | 69.4% | 6.4% |
| Drug Possession | 186 | 74.2% | 1.1% |
| Larceny / Theft | 133 | 72.2% | 3.0% |
| Other | 74 | 77.0% | 4.1% |
| Battery | 64 | 54.7% | 14.1% |
| Resisting Officer | 48 | 66.7% | 4.2% |
| DUI | 36 | 86.1% | 2.8% |
| Trespassing | 72 (2023-2025) | 66.7% | 6.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Sex Offense in Wakulla County?
The guilty rate is 80.3% based on 76 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Sex Offense in Wakulla County?
Adjudication is withheld in 1.3% of cases (2023-2025). 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 Wakulla County?
The average sentence is 6.2 years, with an average fine of $1,150 (2023-2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
11.8% of defendants use a public defender, while 5.3% retain private counsel (2023-2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Sex Offense in Wakulla County, Florida (2023-2025). Based on 76 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/sex-offense/wakulla
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Wakulla 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 · 76 cases (2023-2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com