Violent Crimes Attorney in Ocala

We’ve Prosecuted & Defended Violent Felonies in Marion County’s Courts

Violent crime charges in Ocala move fast. The State begins building its case from the moment of arrest, and the decisions made in the first days after a charge can shape the range of outcomes that follows. At Dunham & Ingram LLC, we defend clients facing the full range of violent crime allegations in Marion County, from misdemeanor battery through first-degree life felonies, including homicide. Our partners bring over 20 years of combined trial experience, dozens of completed jury trials, and deep roots in this community to every case we take.

The quality of representation secured early matters. Cases heard in the Marion County Judicial Center are prosecuted by the same circuit where our founding partner, Chris Dunham, once sat at the State’s table. That courtroom familiarity isn’t an abstraction. It shapes how we assess the evidence, read the charging decisions, and prepare for trial.

If you’re facing violent crime charges in Ocala or anywhere in Marion County, contact Dunham & Ingram LLC today at (352) 353-8117 to speak directly with one of our attorneys.

Violent Crime Cases We Defend

Our representation covers a wide spectrum of violent offense allegations under Florida law. Whether a charge involves a single incident or a complex multi-count indictment, we evaluate every case with the same trial-ready preparation.

Charges within our scope include:

• Battery and aggravated battery
• Assault and aggravated assault
• Domestic violence offenses
• Robbery and armed robbery
• Kidnapping and carjacking
• Weapons and firearms charges carrying sentencing enhancements
• Homicide, including murder and manslaughter

Florida law classifies violent offenses across felony degrees, from third-degree felonies through life felonies, with maximum sentences ranging from five years to life in prison. Domestic violence charges carry additional collateral consequences even at the misdemeanor level, including mandatory counseling, loss of firearm rights, and potential immigration impact. For cases with multi-jurisdictional exposure, our admission to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida allows us to extend representation into federal court when needed.

Florida’s Sentencing Laws & Why Early Action Matters

Florida’s 10-20-Life statute (Fla. Stat. 775.087) imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences when a firearm is involved in certain violent felonies. Under this law, possessing a firearm during a qualifying offense triggers a 10-year mandatory minimum. Discharging it raises that floor to 20 years. If the discharge causes death or great bodily harm, the mandatory minimum becomes 25 years to life.

How Mandatory Minimums Work

These minimums aren’t subject to judicial discretion. Once a conviction is entered, a judge can’t impose a sentence below the statutory floor. The prosecutor holds primary authority to waive the enhancement before conviction, which is why intervention by defense counsel before charges are formally filed can materially affect the range of outcomes available.

Felony Degree Classifications & Enhancements

A first-degree felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison; a life felony carries a potential life sentence. Weapon-related reclassification under the statute can elevate a charge by one full degree. Defendants with prior violent felony convictions may also face habitual offender designations under Fla. Stat. 775.084, which can further increase minimum terms. In certain cases, Florida’s Stand Your Ground law (Fla. Stat. 776.012) may support a motion to dismiss before the case ever reaches a jury.

What It Means to Have Attorneys Who’ve Sat at Both Tables

Most criminal defense attorneys have seen a case from one side. Our partners have seen it from both. Chris Dunham prosecuted felony cases in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, the same court system that handles Marion County violent crime cases today. Andy Ingram built his courtroom experience as an Assistant Public Defender, representing clients facing serious criminal charges. Together, they can anticipate how the State is likely to structure its case before that strategy unfolds.

That dual perspective is a genuine advantage in violent crimes defense. Former prosecution experience gives us direct visibility into how charging decisions are made, what evidence the State prioritizes, and where a case may be vulnerable to challenge. We don’t guess at the other side’s approach. We’ve been there.

We’re members of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Marion County Bar Association, and the Inn of Court, and we’ve earned more than 100 Google reviews from clients who faced serious legal situations and needed more than a case number. Chris and Andy communicate directly with clients by phone and email throughout the representation. There’s no handoff to a paralegal when the questions are hard.

How We Build a Violent Crimes Defense

A thorough defense starts with the evidence. We scrutinize the State’s case for weaknesses in witness credibility, gaps in physical evidence, procedural errors during arrest or investigation, and potential constitutional violations. Where the facts support it, we evaluate self-defense claims, including Stand Your Ground motions that can resolve a case before trial.

High-level motion practice and focused discovery strategy are central to how we approach serious felony defense. When the evidence is substantial, skilled negotiation with the prosecution can result in reduced charges, lesser-included offenses, or sentencing recommendations that may avoid the harshest outcomes. We don’t guarantee results. We can make sure every client understands the full range of paths forward, including best and worst scenarios, so they can make informed decisions at every stage. Our courtroom record includes jury trials in first-degree life felony matters. When a case goes to trial, we’re ready for it.

Talk to a Violent Crimes Attorney in Ocala Today

Violent felony charges carry consequences that don’t disappear after a case closes. Mandatory prison sentences, permanent criminal records, and the loss of civil rights are all on the table. The time to build a defense is now, not after the State has locked in its position.

Dunham & Ingram LLC represents clients in Ocala and throughout Marion County. When you contact us, you speak with Chris or Andy directly, not a receptionist who can pass along a message. Call (352) 353-8117 to schedule a case evaluation.