Contempt of Court Sentencing in Florida

We analyzed 9,898 convicted Contempt of Court cases across Florida (2023-2025) to show what sentences judges actually impose — including average sentence length, fines, and the likelihood of prison, jail, or probation.

3.2 months
Average Sentence
9,898 convicted cases
$207.40
Average Fine
27.7% received a fine
1.4%
Prison Rate
Sentence > 1 year
18.9%
Probation Only
No incarceration

Sentence Range (Cases With Incarceration)

25th Percentile
1.3 months
3.0 months
Lighter Median Heavier
75th Percentile
6.0 months

Fine Range (Cases With Fines)

25th Percentile
$72.50
$150.00
Lower Median Higher
75th Percentile
$273.00
Facing Contempt of Court charges? The average sentence is 3.2 months. A defense attorney can work to reduce your sentence or negotiate alternative sentencing — free consultation.

Sentencing Outcome Breakdown

Outcome Cases Percentage
State Prison (sentence > 1 year) 135 1.4%
County Jail (sentence 1–365 days) 5,820 58.8%
Probation Only (no incarceration) 1,874 18.9%
Fined 2,745 27.7%

Felony vs Misdemeanor Sentencing

Charge Level Cases Avg Sentence Avg Fine % Prison % Jail Avg Probation
Misdemeanor 9,128 3.0 months $200.72 0.5% 59.2% 1 year
NULL 434 1.5 months $295.58 1.2% 49.3% 11.8 months
Felony 218 1 year, 4 months $287.23 37.2% 42.7% 2.8 years
Not Applicable 118 3.8 months $336.08 0.0% 89.8% 3.6 years

Sentencing by County

Counties with 20+ convicted Contempt of Court cases. Click a county to see detailed sentencing data.

County Convicted Avg Sentence Avg Fine % Prison % Jail
Duval 999 2.8 months $118.01 0.3% 82.2%
Hillsborough 692 1.5 months $135.00 0.4% 25.7%
Pinellas 667 4.9 months $355.31 2.7% 70.6%
Pasco 559 1.3 months $294.76 0.5% 24.7%
Palm Beach 550 3.6 months $337.50 0.7% 79.1%
Polk 447 2.3 months $135.10 0.0% 48.1%
Miami-Dade 365 3.3 months $241.97 1.4% 46.0%
Okaloosa 359 28 days $100.00 0.3% 18.9%
Hernando 358 3.3 months $145.94 0.3% 83.8%
Marion 331 4.7 months $70.62 4.5% 95.2%
Escambia 322 1.9 months $297.18 1.2% 34.5%
Volusia 286 2.6 months $223.00 1.4% 84.3%
Sarasota 225 3.1 months $491.94 2.7% 32.4%
Broward 220 2.3 months $0.00 0.0% 54.5%
Seminole 214 2.8 months $383.33 8.4% 53.3%
Orange 211 5.7 months $485.83 4.7% 81.0%
Santa Rosa 208 3.4 months $48.61 3.4% 53.8%
Lee 199 2.5 months $0.00 0.0% 60.3%
Manatee 176 26 days $74.47 0.0% 17.6%
Clay 160 1.8 months $338.30 0.0% 62.5%
St. Johns 157 2.2 months $516.67 0.0% 59.2%
Putnam 147 2.9 months $60.00 2.0% 78.2%
Brevard 142 1.9 months $0.00 1.4% 61.3%
Collier 140 3.4 months $200.00 2.1% 48.6%
Bay 138 3.1 months $401.50 3.6% 55.1%
Osceola 138 2.4 years $83.12 1.4% 84.1%
Lake 135 1.7 months $238.89 2.2% 21.5%
Leon 118 2.9 months $0.00 2.5% 89.8%
Walton 105 3.4 months $250.67 1.9% 75.2%
Citrus 103 4.7 months $335.00 1.9% 70.9%
St. Lucie 92 3.6 months $577.75 1.1% 64.1%
Highlands 85 3.3 months $203.04 0.0% 63.5%
Sumter 71 3.2 months $164.52 1.4% 54.9%
Charlotte 65 4.1 months $324.00 1.5% 72.3%
Monroe 65 3.3 months $0.00 0.0% 78.5%
Alachua 61 3.0 months $18.86 0.0% 68.9%
Martin 58 3.1 months $0.00 0.0% 55.2%
Okeechobee 57 3.4 months $0.00 1.8% 84.2%
Indian River 49 3.7 months $250.66 0.0% 65.3%
Nassau 38 1.2 months $0.00 0.0% 34.2%
Levy 26 3.4 months $100.00 0.0% 73.1%
Taylor 26 2.6 months $312.50 0.0% 57.7%
Wakulla 26 4.4 months $204.00 0.0% 92.3%
Columbia 25 2.0 months $0.00 0.0% 60.0%
Hardee 23 3.3 months $182.36 0.0% 78.3%
Washington 23 2.5 months $112.70 0.0% 82.6%
Hendry 22 1.6 months $176.67 0.0% 31.8%
Jackson 22 5.6 months $200.00 0.0% 95.5%
Baker 21 2.4 months $0.00 0.0% 76.2%
Gulf 21 2.8 months $117.65 0.0% 71.4%

Facing Contempt of Court Charges in Florida?

The average sentence is 3.2 months, but outcomes depend on your specific circumstances. A defense attorney can review your case and fight for the best possible result. Free, confidential, no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on 9,898 convicted Contempt of Court cases in Florida (2023-2025), the average sentence is 3.2 months. The median sentence for cases with incarceration is 3.0 months. 1.4% of convicted defendants received state prison sentences (over 1 year).
27.7% of convicted Contempt of Court defendants received a fine, with an average of $207.40. The median fine is $150.00. Court costs average $403.34 on top of fines.
1.4% of convicted Contempt of Court defendants received state prison time (over 1 year), 58.8% received county jail time (under 1 year), and 18.9% received probation only with no incarceration. Outcomes vary by county, charge degree, and individual circumstances.

Sentencing data covers convicted cases (guilty and adjudication withheld). Average sentences exclude non-incarcerated cases. Data covers 2023–2025 FDLE public court records. Last updated: March 2026

Important: Sentencing outcomes vary based on criminal history, case circumstances, charge severity, plea agreements, and judicial discretion. These statistics reflect aggregate outcomes and do not predict individual sentences.

Methodology: These statistics are based on 9,898 Contempt of Court cases with a disposition of "Guilty" or "Adjudication Withheld" from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records (2023-2025). "Prison" = sentence exceeding 365 days; "Jail" = sentence of 1–365 days; "Probation Only" = probation imposed with no incarceration sentence. Average fines exclude cases where no fine was imposed. Percentiles are calculated from cases with the relevant non-zero value.

Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 9,898 cases · 2023-2025 · Data last updated March 2026