Domestic Violence Attorney in Gainesville

Prosecuted These Cases. Defended the Accused. Now We Fight for You.

A domestic violence arrest moves fast. Under Florida’s mandatory arrest policy, officers who find probable cause can make an arrest even when the alleged victim asks them not to. By the time you appear before a judge, a no-contact order may already be in place, separating you from your home and family. What happens in the days and weeks that follow depends heavily on who is defending you.

We defend clients facing domestic violence charges in Gainesville and throughout Alachua County. Cases in this area are processed through the Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse under the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Chris Dunham prosecuted cases as a State Prosecutor in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Andy Ingram defended the accused as an Assistant Public Defender. Together, we bring over 20 years of combined trial experience and a concrete read on how the State Attorney’s office builds and prioritizes these cases.

If you’re facing a domestic violence charge in Gainesville, don’t wait. Call (352) 353-8117 to speak directly with our attorneys and schedule a case evaluation today.

What Florida Law Covers Under Domestic Violence

Florida Statute 741.28(2) defines domestic violence broadly. It includes assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another.

Covered relationships extend beyond married couples. Former spouses, people who share a child, persons related by blood or marriage, and individuals who currently or formerly lived together as a family all fall within the statute’s reach. Common charges arising from these situations include domestic battery, aggravated battery, stalking, and violation of an injunction for protection. A domestic violence arrest can also trigger a separate Department of Children and Families investigation that runs on its own timeline and can affect child custody independently of the criminal case.

Consequences That Extend Far Beyond the Courtroom

The criminal penalties are serious. A first-degree misdemeanor domestic battery conviction carries up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000. A felony domestic violence conviction can result in up to five years in prison, fines up to $5,000, and five years of probation. When a court finds the defendant intentionally caused bodily harm, a mandatory minimum jail term applies under Florida Statute 741.283.

The collateral consequences reach further:

• Firearms prohibition: Federal law bars anyone convicted of a domestic violence offense from purchasing or possessing a firearm
• No path to expungement: A domestic violence conviction can’t be sealed or expunged under Florida law, regardless of future conduct
• Immigration consequences: Non-citizens face potential deportation upon conviction
• Family court impact: A conviction can affect child custody and time-sharing determinations

Charge escalation is a real risk as well. A first-time misdemeanor domestic battery becomes a third-degree felony if the accused has a prior battery conviction. The State Attorney, not the alleged victim, controls whether charges are pursued or dropped.

Defense Strategies for Gainesville Domestic Violence Cases

Because Chris Dunham prosecuted these cases and Andy Ingram defended them, we understand how the Eighth Judicial Circuit’s State Attorney office is likely to structure its approach. We’ve tried dozens of jury trials, including first-degree life felonies, and we bring that trial-ready thinking to every case from the first consultation.

Depending on the facts, available defenses and strategies may include:

• Self-defense and mutual combat: When evidence shows the accused wasn’t the primary aggressor, self-defense or mutual combat arguments can be raised
• Challenging the alleged victim’s account: False or exaggerated allegations arise in domestic disputes; 911 recordings, first-responder testimony, medical records, and witness statements can expose inconsistencies
• Undermining the prosecution’s evidence: Lack of visible injury and absence of corroborating witnesses can weaken the State’s case, even when the alleged victim declines to cooperate
• Charge reduction through negotiation: When dismissal isn’t achievable, a reduced charge may preserve expungement eligibility and limit long-term consequences
• Batterers Intervention Program: Completion of this program may be a condition of a plea agreement or sentence and can factor into overall case resolution

Why Gainesville Clients Choose Dunham & Ingram LLC

Chris Dunham and Andy Ingram communicate directly with clients by phone and email. Cases aren’t handed off to paralegals. When you have a question, you reach an attorney who knows the details of your case.

Both partners are Central Florida natives with deep familiarity with the regional court system. Dunham & Ingram LLC is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida, which matters when a matter carries federal implications. We are active members of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Marion County Bar Association, and our partners trained at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Florida State University College of Law.

With over 100 Google reviews recognizing us for professionalism and personal rapport in high-stakes situations, we’ve built a reputation on handling difficult cases with the seriousness and transparency they deserve.