Contempt of Court Sentencing in Palm Beach County
166 convicted cases (2025) · Palm Beach County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
We analyzed 166 convicted Contempt of Court cases in Palm Beach County (2025) to show actual sentencing outcomes — average sentence length, fines, court costs, and the likelihood of prison, jail, or probation. Compared to statewide averages to show how Palm Beach County judges sentence differently.
Sentence Range (Cases With Incarceration)
Exhibit · Sentence range, cases with incarceration (2025)
Middle 50%Incarceration sentences in Palm Beach County run 1.3 months to 9.0 months; the median is 4.0 months.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 166 convicted cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Fine Range (Cases With Fines)
Exhibit · Fine range, cases with fines (2025)
Sentencing Outcome Breakdown (2025)
| Outcome | Palm Beach County | Florida (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison (sentence > 1 year) | 0.6% | 1.5% |
| County Jail (sentence 1–365 days) | 78.9% | 56.9% |
| Probation Only | 13.3% | 23.3% |
| Average Sentence | 4.0 months | 2.9 months |
| Average Fine | $375 | $173 |
| Average Probation | 11.7 months | 1 year, 1 months |
| Average Court Costs | $180 | $393 |
Sentence Confinement Types (2023-2025)
| Confinement Type | Cases | Avg Sentence | Avg Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 443 | 4.5 months | $100 |
| State Prison Facility | 4 | 2.5 years | N/A |
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends, all Contempt of Court cases in Palm Beach County
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 224 | 72.3% | 6.7% | 5.7 months |
| 2024 | 252 | 71.0% | 7.5% | 3.7 months |
| 2025 | 218 | 64.2% | 5.0% | 5.1 months |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Trend rows cover all Contempt of Court cases in Palm Beach County by disposition year; the sentencing figures above cover convicted cases in the 2025 window.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Contempt of Court charge in Palm Beach County makes it in front of a judge. Of 448 prosecutor decisions on Contempt of Court charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 9.2% — below the 38.4% 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.
See the complete picture for this charge: Contempt of Court outcomes in Palm Beach County — dismissal rates, counsel analysis, and year-over-year trends.
Other Charges Sentenced in Palm Beach County (2023-2025)
| Charge | Convicted | Avg Sentence | Avg Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Offense | 25,316 | 7 days | $262 |
| Drug Possession | 8,166 | 5.3 months | $7,609 |
| Larceny / Theft | 6,913 | 6.0 months | $102 |
| Trespassing | 5,125 | 1.3 months | $536 |
| DUI | 4,813 | 1.0 months | $1,056 |
Need a Defense Attorney in Palm Beach County?
The average sentence for Contempt of Court in Palm Beach County is 4.0 months. A defense attorney can review your case and work toward the best possible outcome. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average sentence for Contempt of Court in Palm Beach County?
Based on 166 convicted Contempt of Court cases in Palm Beach County (2025), the average sentence is 4.0 months. The statewide average is 2.9 months.
How much are fines for Contempt of Court in Palm Beach County?
1.2% of convicted Contempt of Court defendants in Palm Beach County received a fine, averaging $375. Court costs average $180 additionally.
How does Palm Beach County compare to statewide sentencing for Contempt of Court?
Palm Beach County's average sentence of 4.0 months compares to the statewide average of 2.9 months. The prison rate is 0.6% locally vs 1.5% statewide. The average fine is $375 locally vs $173 statewide.
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Contempt of Court Sentencing in Palm Beach County, Florida (2025). Based on 166 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/sentencing/contempt-of-court/palm-beach
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: September 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 166 Contempt of Court cases in Palm Beach County with a disposition of "Guilty" or "Adjudication Withheld" from FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency records (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.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 166 cases · 2025 · Data last updated September 2026