Criminal Mischief Sentencing in Miami-Dade County
592 convicted cases (2025) · Miami-Dade County courts
Updated September 2026 · 2025 data
We analyzed 592 convicted Criminal Mischief cases in Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade County judges sentence differently.
Sentence Range (Cases With Incarceration)
Exhibit · Sentence range, cases with incarceration (2025)
Middle 50%Incarceration sentences in Miami-Dade County run 2.0 months to 0 year, 12 months; the median is 3.0 months.
Source: FDLE Criminal Justice Data Transparency · 592 convicted cases · 2025 — FloridaCourtFile.com
Fine Range (Cases With Fines)
Exhibit · Fine range, cases with fines (2025)
Sentencing Outcome Breakdown (2025)
| Outcome | Miami-Dade County | Florida (Statewide) |
|---|---|---|
| State Prison (sentence > 1 year) | 6.6% | 8.0% |
| County Jail (sentence 1–365 days) | 53.4% | 47.4% |
| Probation Only | 31.4% | 20.5% |
| Average Sentence | 5.6 months | 4.7 months |
| Average Fine | $383 | $254 |
| Average Probation | 2.7 years | 1 year, 9 months |
| Average Court Costs | $178 | $442 |
| Average Restitution (where ordered) | $2,074 | $2,333 |
Sentence Confinement Types (2023-2025)
| Confinement Type | Cases | Avg Sentence | Avg Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Jail | 698 | 5.5 months | $406 |
| State Prison Facility | 681 | 1 year, 6 months | $455 |
| Confinement to Hospital Facility | 1 | 10.0 months | $448 |
Year-Over-Year Trends
Exhibit · Disposition trends, all Criminal Mischief cases in Miami-Dade County
| Year | Cases | Guilty Rate | Dismissal Rate | Avg Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 960 | 57.9% | 1.1% | 1 year |
| 2024 | 903 | 59.1% | 1.8% | 1 year |
| 2025 | 739 | 52.9% | 2.3% | 9.4 months |
Quarterly detail
Quarterly figures recompute from monthly disposition counts; quarters with fewer than 30 cases are suppressed.
Trend rows cover all Criminal Mischief cases in Miami-Dade County by disposition year; the sentencing figures above cover convicted cases in the 2025 window.
Before Court: State Attorney Decisions
Not every Criminal Mischief charge in Miami-Dade County makes it in front of a judge. Of 8,385 prosecutor decisions on Criminal Mischief charges (2023-2025), the State Attorney declined to file, dropped, or dismissed 43.1% — above the 31.9% 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: Criminal Mischief outcomes in Miami-Dade County — dismissal rates, counsel analysis, and year-over-year trends.
Other Charges Sentenced in Miami-Dade County (2023-2025)
| Charge | Convicted | Avg Sentence | Avg Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larceny / Theft | 11,072 | 8.7 months | $388 |
| Other | 6,860 | 9.1 months | $396 |
| Drug Possession | 6,511 | 4.8 months | $446 |
| Resisting Officer | 4,779 | 6.4 months | $348 |
| Battery | 4,214 | 0 year, 12 months | $404 |
Need a Defense Attorney in Miami-Dade County?
The average sentence for Criminal Mischief in Miami-Dade County is 5.6 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 Criminal Mischief in Miami-Dade County?
Based on 592 convicted Criminal Mischief cases in Miami-Dade County (2025), the average sentence is 5.6 months. The statewide average is 4.7 months.
How much are fines for Criminal Mischief in Miami-Dade County?
29.2% of convicted Criminal Mischief defendants in Miami-Dade County received a fine, averaging $383. Court costs average $178 additionally. Restitution averages $2,074 in cases where it is ordered.
How does Miami-Dade County compare to statewide sentencing for Criminal Mischief?
Miami-Dade County's average sentence of 5.6 months compares to the statewide average of 4.7 months. The prison rate is 6.6% locally vs 8.0% statewide. The average fine is $383 locally vs $254 statewide.
Cite this page
FloridaCourtFile.com (2026). Criminal Mischief Sentencing in Miami-Dade County, Florida (2025). Based on 592 public court records; last updated September 2026. https://www.floridacourtfile.com/sentencing/criminal-mischief/miami-dade
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 592 Criminal Mischief cases in Miami-Dade 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 · 592 cases · 2025 · Data last updated September 2026