Battery in Washington County — Public Defender vs Private Attorney
142 cases compared (2023-2025) · Washington County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2023-2025 data
In Washington County, we compared 122 Battery cases with public defenders against 20 cases with private attorneys (2023-2025). Private attorneys achieved a 9.2 percentage point higher dismissal rate.
Figures cover 142 cases (2023-2025) — fewer than 30 cases resolved in 2025 in this view, so multi-year figures are shown.
Dismissal Rate by Counsel Type (2023-2025)
Exhibit · Dismissal rate by counsel type, Washington County (2023-2025)
GapPrivate attorney clients' dismissal rate runs 9.2 points above public defender clients in Washington County.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 142 cases · 2023-2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Full Comparison: Public Defender vs Private Attorney (2023-2025)
| Metric | Public Defender | Private Attorney | Self-Represented |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cases | 122 | 20 | 113 |
| Dismissal Rate | 0.8% | 10.0% | 0.0% |
| Conviction Rate | 98.4% | 90.0% | 100.0% |
| Guilty Rate | 86.1% | 55.0% | 82.3% |
| Adjudication Withheld | 12.3% | 35.0% | 17.7% |
| Diversion Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Avg Sentence | 1 year, 3 months | 6.4 months | 3.2 months |
| Avg Fine | $343 | $139 | $115 |
| Avg Probation | 2.2 years | 2.5 years | 1 year, 1 months |
Important context: Correlation is not causation. Private attorney clients may differ from public defender clients in income, prior criminal history, charge severity, and willingness to go to trial. These factors independently affect outcomes. This data is informational and does not constitute legal advice.
Statewide Comparison (2023-2025)
Statewide, the dismissal rate for Battery is 2.8% with public defenders and 2.0% with private attorneys (-0.8 point difference). Washington County's 9.2 point difference is above the statewide average.
| Location | PD Dismissal | Private Dismissal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 0.8% | 10.0% | +9.2 pts |
| Florida (Statewide) | 2.8% | 2.0% | -0.8 pts |
Other Charges in Washington County (2023-2025)
| Charge | PD Cases | PD Dismissal | Private Cases | Private Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Possession | 177 | 0.0% | 17 | 0.0% |
| Traffic Offense | 62 | 0.0% | 28 | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should you hire a private attorney for Battery in Washington County?
In Washington County, private attorney clients have a 10.0% dismissal rate for Battery compared to 0.8% for public defender clients. This is a 9.2 percentage point difference based on 142 cases. However, correlation is not causation — private attorney clients may have different case characteristics.
What are the conviction rates for Battery in Washington County by counsel type?
The conviction rate for Battery in Washington County is 98.4% with a public defender and 90.0% with a private attorney. Conviction includes both guilty findings and adjudication withheld.
How does Washington County compare to statewide averages for Battery counsel outcomes?
Statewide, the dismissal rate is 2.8% for public defenders and 2.0% for private attorneys. Washington County's difference of 9.2 points compares to a statewide difference of -0.8 points.
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Battery in Washington County, Florida — Public Defender vs Private Attorney Outcomes (2023-2025). Based on 142 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/counsel-outcomes/battery/washington
Conviction includes guilty pleas and adjudication withheld. Data covers 2023–2025 FDLE public court records. Last updated: September 2026
Important: Differences in outcomes between public defenders and private attorneys may reflect differences in case complexity, defendant resources, charge severity, and other factors — not solely attorney quality. These statistics do not predict individual case outcomes.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 142 cases analyzed · Washington County · 2023-2025 · Data last updated September 2026