Stalking in Hernando County, Florida

Hernando County prosecutes stalking cases more aggressively than the statewide average. Two-thirds of defendants are convicted, compared to a state average where adjudication is withheld in one-fifth of cases. Notably, Hernando County has zero dismissals and acquittals in stalking cases, while statewide 3 percent of cases are dismissed. The county also diverts only 13.3 percent of cases to pre-trial programs, below the statewide diversion rate of 7.1 percent, suggesting the local State Attorney prioritizes conviction over alternative resolution paths for this charge.

Sentencing outcomes show confinement is common: half of convicted defendants serve jail time and 10 percent receive prison sentences. Probation averages nearly two and a half years, while median prison time is four months. The disparity between median and average sentence length indicates some cases result in substantially longer terms. Public defender representation covers 26.7 percent of cases, while only 3.3 percent retain private counsel, leaving roughly 70 percent unaccounted for in available data.

0.0% of Stalking cases in Hernando County are dismissed — below Florida's statewide average of 3.4%. Hernando County is tougher than typical on these cases, so the attorney you pick matters more here.

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30
Total Cases
66.7%
Guilty Rate
13.3%
Withheld Rate
0.0%
Dismissal Rate
10.7 months
Avg Sentence

Outcome Breakdown

Guilty
66.7% (20)
Withheld
13.3% (4)
Diversion
13.3% (4)
Dismissed
0.0% (0)
Acquitted
0.0% (0)

Sentencing Breakdown

10.7 months
Avg Sentence
3.9 months
Median Sentence
2.5 years
Avg Probation
$239
Avg Fine
10.0%
Prison Rate
50.0%
Jail Rate
Confinement Type Count Avg Sentence
County Jail 15 4.4 months
State Prison Facility 3 3.4 years

Counsel Analysis

8
Public Defender
62.5% guilty · 0.0% dismissed
7
Other
71.4% guilty · 0.0% dismissed

Demographics

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 25 60.0% 0.0%

Age Distribution

0.0%
Under 21
23.3%
21-29
30.0%
30-39
30.0%
40-49
16.7%
50-59
0.0%
60+

Year-Over-Year Trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence
2023 12 66.7% 0.0% 10.2 months
2024 9 77.8% 0.0% 2.2 months
2025 9 55.6% 0.0% 1 year, 11 months

Charge Level Breakdown

Level Degree Cases
Misdemeanor First Degree 20
Felony Third Degree 10

Related Charges in Hernando County

Charge Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
Drug Possession 3,268 67.9% 2.8%
Larceny / Theft 2,833 48.5% 0.5%
Traffic Offense 2,485 73.5% 0.2%
Battery 1,342 56.3% 1.2%
Other 1,270 64.7% 5.1%
Resisting Officer 796 75.1% 0.4%
Trespassing 694 87.9% 0.4%
DUI 660 98.3% 0.2%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the guilty rate for Stalking in Hernando County?
The guilty rate is 66.7% based on 30 cases (2023-2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Stalking in Hernando County?
Adjudication is withheld in 13.3% of cases. 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 Stalking in Hernando County?
The average sentence is 10.7 months, with an average fine of $239.
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
26.7% of defendants use a public defender, while 3.3% retain private counsel.

About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Hernando 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 · 30 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026