Battery Attorney in Gainesville, FL
Trial-Tested Battery Defense from a Former Prosecutor & Former Public Defender
Battery charges in Florida can move from a misdemeanor to a felony faster than most people expect. At Dunham & Ingram LLC, we defend clients facing battery charges throughout Gainesville, FL and Alachua County from our local office. Our firm was founded by two veteran trial lawyers with over 20 years of combined courtroom experience: one a former State Prosecutor and the other a former Assistant Public Defender. That dual perspective shapes how we approach every case.
Both partners, Chris Dunham and Andy Ingram, are Central Florida natives with deep ties to the Gainesville region. We bring trial-tested strategy to every charge we defend, from first-degree misdemeanors to serious felonies.
If you’ve been charged with battery in the Gainesville area, don’t wait to get counsel in your corner. Call our battery attorneys at (352) 353-8117 or schedule a case evaluation today.
Why Gainesville Clients Choose Dunham & Ingram LLC
We don’t pass clients off to paralegals. Chris Dunham and Andy Ingram communicate directly with clients by email and phone throughout the life of the case. You know where things stand.
Our background on both sides of the courtroom gives us a perspective many battery lawyers in Gainesville don’t offer: we understand how prosecutors build these cases because one of our partners built them. That means we can often anticipate the state’s strategy and prepare accordingly. With dozens of jury trials behind us, including first-degree life felonies, we’re built for courtroom confrontation, not just desk-side negotiation.
We’re licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Florida, and we bring that same rigor for motion practice and discovery strategy to state-court battery cases. More than 100 Google reviews reflect what clients consistently describe as impeccable professionalism paired with genuine personal care.
What Florida Battery Charges Actually Mean for You
Under Florida Statute 784.03, battery occurs when a person intentionally touches or strikes another against their will, or intentionally causes bodily harm. The statute draws a clear line: intent and physical contact are both required. The charge that follows depends on your prior record and the facts of the incident.
- Simple battery (first offense): A first-degree misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in jail, one year of probation, and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Second or subsequent battery conviction: Elevated to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
- Felony battery under Florida Statute 784.041: Applies when the alleged contact caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Also classified as a third-degree felony.
- Domestic battery by strangulation: Addressed under Florida Statute 784.041 and charged as a third-degree felony regardless of prior record.
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction can affect whether you keep your job, your housing, or your right to own a firearm. Early defense strategy matters.
Charge Categories We Defend
Battery isn’t a single charge. The specific allegation shapes your exposure and the defense approach that makes sense. We handle the full range of battery-related charges, including:
- Assault & Aggravated Assault: Assault involves a credible threat; aggravated assault adds a deadly weapon or intent to commit a felony, escalating the charge significantly.
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon: A felony-level charge that carries substantially higher penalties and demands an aggressive pre-trial strategy.
- Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer: Any battery involving a police officer, correctional officer, or other protected official can result in enhanced charges and consequences.
- Domestic Battery: Can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. A conviction can also trigger mandatory conditions that affect daily life, including no-contact orders and firearm prohibitions.
Available defenses vary by charge and fact pattern. Self-defense, lack of intent, and credibility challenges to the alleged victim’s account are among the arguments we evaluate in each case.
Where Battery Cases Are Heard in Alachua County
Battery charges in Alachua County are processed through the Judge Stephan P. Mickle, Sr. Criminal Courthouse, commonly called the Alachua County Criminal Justice Center, located in Gainesville. The court operates within the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, which covers Alachua County and the surrounding counties.
Knowing the circuit, the judges, and the prosecutors assigned to these matters can be a practical advantage. Our team works in this system regularly and understands how cases move from first appearance through resolution.
Talk to a Battery Lawyer in Gainesville, FL
A battery charge demands an immediate, considered response. The decisions made in the first days after an arrest can shape everything that follows. We’re available to evaluate your situation, explain what the charge actually means for your case, and map out a defense strategy built around your specific facts.
Our Gainesville office serves clients throughout Alachua County and the surrounding area. Chris Dunham and Andy Ingram handle these cases personally.
Call (352) 353-8117 or contact us through the site to schedule your case evaluation. Don’t face a battery charge without experienced trial attorneys in your corner.