Vehicle Theft in Lee County, Florida
55 cases (2025) · Lee County courts
Updated July 2026 · 2025 data
In 2025, Lee County prosecuted 55 vehicle theft cases with an 81.8 percent guilty rate and 5.5 percent diversion—above the statewide diversion average of 2.8 percent. However, convicted defendants faced substantially harsher sentences than Duval County counterparts. No cases were dismissed, and withheld adjudication was notably low at 7.3 percent compared to the statewide 13.5 percent average, indicating prosecutors pursued formal convictions rather than record-preserving outcomes.
Sentencing in Lee was severe: defendants averaged 943.8 days incarceration—exceeding 2.5 years—with a median of 806.5 days. Prison comprised nearly half of sentences. Probation extended to nearly 2.6 years on average. Public defenders represented only 21.8 percent of defendants, suggesting many retained counsel or proceeded without legal representation.
Outcome Breakdown (2025)
Exhibit · Case outcomes (2025)
Largest outcomeGuilty — 81.8% of 55 cases.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 55 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 |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison Facility | 70 | 3.3 years |
| County Jail | 46 | 7.5 months |
Convicted defendants' full sentencing detail — sentence ranges, fines, prison vs. probation odds: Vehicle Theft sentencing in Lee County.
Counsel Analysis (2023-2025)
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 | 45 | 77.8% | 0.0% |
Age Distribution (2025)
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 89 | 85.4% | 0.0% | 1 year, 12 months |
| 2024 | 63 | 82.5% | 0.0% | 2.3 years |
| 2025 | 55 | 81.8% | 0.0% | 2.6 years |
Charge Level Breakdown
| Level | Degree | Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | Third Degree | 207 |
Related Charges in Lee County
Rates shown are 2025 unless marked otherwise.
| Charge | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 4,039 | 67.2% | 0.2% |
| Drug Possession | 2,117 | 77.4% | 0.1% |
| DUI | 1,301 | 98.9% | 0.2% |
| Larceny / Theft | 913 | 82.4% | 0.5% |
| Resisting Officer | 686 | 84.0% | 1.9% |
| Battery | 717 | 71.7% | 2.5% |
| Trespassing | 456 | 83.3% | 5.9% |
| Other | 458 | 72.5% | 1.5% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the guilty rate for Vehicle Theft in Lee County?
The guilty rate is 81.8% based on 55 cases (2025).
How often is adjudication withheld for Vehicle Theft in Lee County?
Adjudication is withheld in 7.3% 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 Vehicle Theft in Lee County?
The average sentence is 2.6 years (2025).
What percentage use a public defender vs private attorney?
21.8% of defendants use a public defender, while 7.3% retain private counsel (2025).
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Vehicle Theft in Lee County, Florida (2025). Based on 55 public court records; last updated July 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/charges/vehicle-theft/lee
About this data: Statistics are derived from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records for Lee 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 · 55 cases (2025) · Data last updated July 2026 — FloridaCourtFile.com