Stolen Property in Polk County, Florida
38 cases (2025) · Polk County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Polk County handled 38 stolen property cases with the harshest outcomes among comparable jurisdictions. Guilty rate of 76.3% combined with zero dismissals and zero diversion reflects uncompromising prosecution—statewide averages show 1.9% dismissal and 3.1% diversion. Withheld adjudication at 21.1% exceeds statewide 12.8%, but Polk's refusal of any alternative pathways contrasts sharply with other counties. The pattern indicates maximum prosecution of stolen property charges.
Confinement was severe: 28.9% prison, 21.1% jail (50% total). Median sentence was 852 days (2.3 years), substantially exceeding similar-charge jurisdictions. Probation averaged 1313 days. Counsel was split—50% public defender, 28.9% private attorney. Average fine was $182. The punitive approach in Polk suggests elevated theft severity or prosecution policy valuing deterrence over diversion.
Citing these figures? Attribution line and monthly data pack.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Stolen Property charge in Polk County makes it in front of a judge. Of 318 prosecutor decisions on Stolen Property charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 36.5% — in line with the 37.3% 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 — 76.3% of 38 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 38 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 (confined) |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 55 | 3.7 years |
| County Jail | 38 | 7.6 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Stolen Property sentencing in Polk County.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Stolen Property in Polk County?
The guilty rate is 76.3% based on 38 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Stolen Property in Polk County?
Adjudication is withheld in 21.1% 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 Stolen Property in Polk County?
Among convictions that included confinement, the average sentence is 3.4 years, with an average fine of $182 (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
50.0% of defendants use a public defender, while 28.9% retain private counsel (2025).
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 | 26 | 84.6% | 0.0% |
| Black | 12 | 58.3% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence (confined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69 | 94.2% | 0.0% | 2.5 years |
| 2024 | 60 | 83.3% | 1.7% | 1 year, 9 months |
| 2025 | 38 | 76.3% | 0.0% | 3.4 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Second Degree | 95 |
| Misdemeanor | First Degree | 62 |
| Felony | Third Degree | 7 |
| Felony | First Degree | 2 |
| Misdemeanor | Second Degree | 1 |
Related Charges in Polk County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 7,862 | 51.9% | 0.2% |
| Drug Possession | 5,926 | 81.8% | 0.1% |
| Other | 3,588 | 40.2% | 5.7% |
| Larceny / Theft | 2,669 | 70.3% | 0.6% |
| Resisting Officer | 2,448 | 77.3% | 0.8% |
| Battery | 1,836 | 63.0% | 2.7% |
| Trespassing | 1,480 | 77.8% | 4.3% |
| DUI | 973 | 97.8% | 0.4% |
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Stolen Property in Polk County, Florida (2025). Based on 38 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/stolen-property/polk
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Polk 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 · 38 cases (2025) · Data last updated September 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com