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Florida Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys – Mitkevicius Law
Being arrested for domestic violence battery in Florida can feel like your entire life is turned upside down overnight. A single accusation often leads to immediate arrest, mandatory jail booking, no-contact orders, and court dates that move faster than most other criminal cases. Even when the facts are unclear, or the person accusing you does not want to press charges, the state can still move forward aggressively.
Call Today — Protect yourself now!
What Counts as Domestic Violence Battery in Florida?
Pensacola, Florida Domestic Violence Lawyer- Mitkevicius Law
Florida law defines domestic violence broadly. It includes battery, assault, stalking, false imprisonment, or any offense that causes physical harm between family or household members. That means disputes between spouses, dating partners, parents, children, or even roommates can fall under the domestic violence statute.
The most common charge is domestic violence battery, which can be filed even in cases involving minor injuries, conflicting stories, or no visible injuries at all.
Immediate Consequences After Arrest
Josef Mitkevicius law firm is absolutely amazing! We had a difficult case and won! Mr.Josef stood behind us 100%! The communication was awesome, he returns calls, responds to emails and truly stands behind his clients with integrity, hard work and reasonable rates. We put our trust in Josef Mitkevicius and it was the best decision we made when it came to choosing a law firm, he is the best!
Adrianne
Unlike other crimes, domestic violence charges carry unique and immediate consequences:
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Mandatory Jail Booking: Even if bail is posted, defendants must usually spend at least one night in custody before release.
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No-Contact Orders: Courts almost always issue a no-contact order at first appearance, which can separate families and prevent you from going home.
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Firearm Restrictions: Federal law prohibits firearm possession while under certain domestic violence conditions.
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Work and Family Impact: Jobs, professional licenses, and custody arrangements can all be disrupted before the case even begins.
Florida Domestic Violence Penalties
Domestic violence battery is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by:
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Up to 1 year in jail
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Up to 12 months probation
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Mandatory batterers’ intervention program (26 weeks)
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Fines, community service, and a permanent criminal record
Repeat offenses, aggravated battery, or cases involving strangulation can escalate into felonies with prison time and harsher lifelong consequences.
Can the Alleged Victim Drop the Charges?
This is one of the most common questions we hear. The truth is: the alleged victim cannot “drop” domestic violence charges once they are filed. The decision belongs to the prosecutor, not the person making the accusation.
However, prosecutors often consider the wishes of the alleged victim when deciding how to move forward. A skilled defense attorney can present mitigating evidence, highlight weaknesses in the case, and advocate for dismissal or reduced charges.
Defense Strategies in Domestic Violence Cases
There are many ways to challenge a domestic violence allegation. Some of the most effective include:
A. Self-Defense
Florida law allows you to use reasonable force to protect yourself or others. If you were defending yourself, your lawyer can present that evidence clearly.
B. False or Exaggerated Allegations
Domestic disputes are emotionally charged, and sometimes accusations are made out of anger, revenge, or during child custody battles. These motives can be exposed in court.
C. Lack of Evidence
In many cases, the only evidence is conflicting testimony. Without physical injury, witnesses, or reliable proof, the state may have difficulty proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
FIGHTING FALSE ALLEGATIONS AND PROTECTING YOUR FUTURE
Many of our DV defense clients are men, but we’ve also defended women falsely accused by abusive partners (yes, it happens that the actual abuser calls police first to flip the script). No matter your gender or orientation, we stand ready to defend you. Our experience includes heterosexual and same-sex domestic cases, and cross-cultural marriages where different expectations sometimes lead to misunderstandings.
The key to remember is: you are presumed innocent. We hold the State to that principle. It’s not your job to prove you didn’t do it; it’s their job to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did. We make that job as hard as possible for them.
And unlike some attorneys who might treat DV cases routinely, we treat you as an individual with a lot on the line. We know an immigrant defendant has extra at stake – not just freedom, but the right to remain in this country with their family. That fuels our determination to get the best result.
Our track record includes numerous DV cases dropped or won. We’ve had cases where, after presenting our evidence packet to the prosecutor (showing holes in their case), they chose to drop the charges on the morning of trial.
We’ve had juries return “Not Guilty” in less than an hour because we so effectively dismantled the accusation. Those are life-changing wins for our clients: they walk out free and with no conviction to threaten their status. That’s what we strive for every time.
Why Choose Mitkevicius Law for Domestic Violence Defense?
Domestic violence charges move faster and hit harder than almost any other type of case in Florida. You need a defense team that understands the unique challenges and knows how to respond immediately.
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Trial-Ready Defense: We prepare every domestic violence case as if it will go to trial, ensuring you have leverage and options.
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Tech-Forward Updates: Our secure systems keep you informed about court dates, evidence, and strategy. You will never be left in the dark.
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Local Knowledge: We’ve defended clients in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and across the Gulf Coast for years. Prosecutors know we are coming and Judges know we zealously defend our clients.
