DUI in Nassau County — Public Defender vs Private Attorney
121 cases compared (2025) · Nassau County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
In Nassau County, we compared 76 DUI cases with public defenders against 45 cases with private attorneys (2025). Both counsel types had similar dismissal rates.
Dismissal Rate by Counsel Type (2025)
Exhibit · Dismissal rate by counsel type, Nassau County (2025)
GapDismissal rates are effectively identical across counsel types in Nassau County.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 121 cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Full Comparison: Public Defender vs Private Attorney (2025)
| Metric | Public Defender | Private Attorney | Self-Represented |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cases | 76 | 45 | 3 |
| Dismissal Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Conviction Rate | 100.0% | 91.1% | 100.0% |
| Guilty Rate | 100.0% | 91.1% | 100.0% |
| Adjudication Withheld | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Diversion Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Avg Sentence | 4.2 months | 10 days | 0 days |
| Avg Fine | $894 | $912 | $950 |
| Avg Probation | 1 year | 11.8 months | 1 year |
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 (2025)
Statewide, the dismissal rate for DUI is 1.2% with public defenders and 0.8% with private attorneys (-0.4 point difference). Nassau County's 0.0 point difference is above the statewide average.
| Location | PD Dismissal | Private Dismissal | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau County | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Florida (Statewide) | 1.2% | 0.8% | -0.4 pts |
Other Charges in Nassau County (2023-2025)
| Charge | PD Cases | PD Dismissal | Private Cases | Private Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 422 | 1.2% | 508 | 0.0% |
| Drug Possession | 555 | 0.0% | 70 | 0.0% |
| Larceny / Theft | 224 | 0.0% | 26 | 0.0% |
| Battery | 193 | 0.5% | 38 | 0.0% |
| Other | 142 | 0.0% | 40 | 5.0% |
| Drug Sale | 140 | 0.0% | 16 | 0.0% |
| Resisting Officer | 87 | 0.0% | 29 | 0.0% |
| Disorderly Conduct | 91 | 0.0% | 21 | 0.0% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should you hire a private attorney for DUI in Nassau County?
In Nassau County, private attorney clients have a 0.0% dismissal rate for DUI compared to 0.0% for public defender clients. This is a 0.0 percentage point difference based on 121 cases. However, correlation is not causation — private attorney clients may have different case characteristics.
What are the conviction rates for DUI in Nassau County by counsel type?
The conviction rate for DUI in Nassau County is 100.0% with a public defender and 91.1% with a private attorney. Conviction includes both guilty findings and adjudication withheld.
How does Nassau County compare to statewide averages for DUI counsel outcomes?
Statewide, the dismissal rate is 1.2% for public defenders and 0.8% for private attorneys. Nassau County's difference of 0.0 points compares to a statewide difference of -0.4 points.
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). DUI in Nassau County, Florida — Public Defender vs Private Attorney Outcomes (2025). Based on 121 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/counsel-outcomes/dui/nassau
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 · 121 cases analyzed · Nassau County · 2025 · Data last updated September 2026