Stalking in Sarasota County, Florida

61 cases (2023-2025) · Sarasota County courts

From 2023 to 2025, Sarasota County handled 61 stalking cases with outcomes favorable relative to statewide patterns. Guilty rate of 57.4% was the lowest in this charge category. Withheld adjudication at 24.6% exceeded statewide 20.8%, and dismissal at 4.9% surpassed statewide 3.2%. Diversion at 9.8% nearly doubled statewide 6.2%, indicating Sarasota routinely diverted stalking cases from conviction. This suggests prosecutorial discretion toward alternative resolution rather than adjudication.

Confinement was minimal: 6.6% prison, 23.0% jail (29.6% total). Median sentence was 364 days; average was 511 days. Probation exceeded typical outcomes at 626 days. Only 3.3% retained private attorneys, suggesting most used public defenders. The low confinement combined with elevated diversion indicates Sarasota's approach emphasizes avoiding conviction records over traditional punishment.

Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.

61
Total Cases (2023-2025)
57.4%
Guilty Rate
24.6%
Withheld Rate
4.9%
Dismissal Rate
vs 3.0% statewide, 2023-2025
1 year, 5 months
Avg Sentence (confined)

Figures cover 61 cases (2023-2025) — fewer than 30 cases resolved in 2025, so multi-year figures are shown.

I Outcomes

Exhibit · Case outcomes (2023-2025)

Guilty
57.4% (35)
Withheld
24.6% (15)
Diversion
9.8% (6)
Dismissed
4.9% (3)
Acquitted
0.0% (0)

Largest outcomeGuilty — 57.4% of 61 cases.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 61 cases · 2023-2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com

II Sentencing

Exhibit · Sentencing when convicted (2023-2025)

1 year, 5 months
Avg Sentence (confined)
0 year, 12 months
Median Sentence
1 year, 9 months
Avg Probation
$250
Avg Fine
6.6%
Prison Rate
23.0%
Jail Rate

Confinement-type detail below is computed across all available years (2023-2025).

Confinement Type Count Avg Sentence (confined)
County Jail 14 7.1 months
State Prison Facility 4 4.3 years

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 54 61.1% 3.7%
4.9%
Under 21
16.4%
21-29
34.4%
30-39
13.1%
40-49
23.0%
50-59
8.2%
60+

Exhibit · Disposition trends

Year Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate Avg Sentence (confined)
2023 20 45.0% 15.0% 1 year, 4 months
2024 15 73.3% 0.0% 10.1 months
2025 26 57.7% 0.0% 1 year, 7 months
Level Degree Cases
Misdemeanor First Degree 47
Felony Third Degree 14
Charge Cases Guilty Rate Dismissal Rate
Traffic Offense 3,234 51.5% 2.9%
Drug Possession 2,389 76.3% 1.1%
Other 1,055 78.2% 2.4%
Larceny / Theft 1,016 64.9% 2.6%
DUI 710 96.8% 0.7%
Sex Offense 561 78.3% 0.2%
Battery 666 59.3% 0.9%
Resisting Officer 590 74.4% 1.4%

Cite this page

FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Stalking in Sarasota County, Florida (2023-2025). Based on 61 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/stalking/sarasota

About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Sarasota 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 · 61 cases (2023-2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com