Stalking in Duval County, Florida

Stalking cases in Duval County result in conviction at notably high rates. Of 132 cases, 64.4 percent ended in guilty verdicts, significantly outpacing the statewide pattern where adjudication is more often withheld. The withheld rate in Duval—26.5 percent—falls above the statewide average of 20.9 percent, meaning defendants here have somewhat better odds of avoiding a formal conviction on their record. Dismissals and diversions occur rarely in this county, at 3.8 and 3.0 percent respectively, compared to a statewide diversion rate of 7.1 percent. This suggests the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit prioritizes prosecution over alternatives in stalking cases.

Defendants convicted here face substantial consequences. The median sentence is 90 days, but the average stretches to 235.6 days, indicating some cases draw lengthy terms. Over half of defendants—50.8 percent—receive jail time, while 10.6 percent are sent to prison. Probation is common, averaging 519 days. Just over half of defendants had public defenders, while 35.6 percent retained private counsel, suggesting economic diversity among the accused in these cases.