Stalking in Hillsborough County, Florida
97 cases (2025) · Hillsborough County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Hillsborough County showed the most favorable dismissal rate for stalking defendants among Florida counties reviewed: 7.2%, more than double the statewide average of 3.2%. The guilty rate was the lowest among peers at 51.5%, and diversion programs were available in 9.3% of cases, compared to 6.3% statewide. These patterns suggest Hillsborough's State Attorney applies more discretion in charging or trial decisions, allowing more cases to be resolved without conviction.
Notably, 82.5% of Hillsborough stalking defendants retained private counsel rather than relying on public defenders, an unusually high rate indicating either greater wealth or different case characteristics. Average sentences were light—approximately 1.3 years—with only 9.3% incarcerated in prison, substantially below statewide patterns.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Stalking charge in Hillsborough County makes it in front of a judge. Of 371 prosecutor decisions on Stalking charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 34.2% — below the 41.8% 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 — 51.5% of 97 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 97 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 |
|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 36 | 6.9 months |
| State Prison Facility | 28 | 3.1 years |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Stalking sentencing in Hillsborough 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 | 64 | 53.1% | 7.8% |
| Black | 27 | 59.3% | 7.4% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 55 | 52.7% | 3.6% | 1 year, 7 months |
| 2024 | 55 | 58.2% | 5.5% | 1 year, 9 months |
| 2025 | 97 | 51.5% | 7.2% | 1 year, 4 months |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 134 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 70 |
| Felony | Second Degree | 3 |
Related Charges in Hillsborough County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 12,179 | 50.5% | 9.0% |
| Drug Possession | 6,254 | 71.9% | 1.9% |
| Larceny / Theft | 3,618 | 68.4% | 2.6% |
| Sex Offense | 4,360 | 85.4% | 1.9% |
| Trespassing | 2,769 | 81.1% | 8.5% |
| Battery | 3,226 | 49.7% | 3.3% |
| Resisting Officer | 2,885 | 69.3% | 3.6% |
| Other | 2,559 | 74.0% | 1.9% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Stalking in Hillsborough County?
The guilty rate is 51.5% based on 97 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Stalking in Hillsborough County?
Adjudication is withheld in 19.6% 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 Stalking in Hillsborough County?
The average sentence is 1 year, 4 months, with an average fine of $315 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
17.5% of defendants use a public defender, while 82.5% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Stalking in Hillsborough County, Florida (2025). Based on 97 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/stalking/hillsborough
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Hillsborough 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 · 97 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com