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BATTERY — TOUCH OR STRIKE (F.S. § 784.03(1)(a)1) (2 COUNTS)
CASE DISMISSED (NOLLE PROSEQUI)
Escambia County, FL
February 17, 2026
Client was charged in Escambia County with two counts of Battery — Touch or Strike (F.S. § 784.03(1)(a)1), first-degree misdemeanors carrying a combined maximum exposure of up to 2 years in the county jail and up to $2,000 in fines. Multiple battery counts signal to prosecutors and the court a pattern of violent conduct, which typically results in more aggressive prosecution, harsher plea offers, and increased likelihood of adjudication of guilt rather than a withhold. The [REDACTED] incident involved [REDACTED] alleged victims in a [REDACTED] setting, and the dual charges created significant leverage for the prosecution in negotiations. The client — who had [REDACTED] — needed a defense strategy that neutralized both counts simultaneously and prevented any conviction that would saddle them with a permanent violent crime record.
The defense immediately secured all available evidence, including law enforcement reports, witness statements, body camera footage, and any available surveillance recordings from the [REDACTED] location. Our independent investigation revealed significant inconsistencies in the accounts of the alleged victims — specifically, [REDACTED] contradictions between the initial statements to officers and subsequent sworn accounts, as well as evidence suggesting [REDACTED]. We prepared detailed written challenges to the State's evidence on both counts and filed the case for trial, making it unequivocally clear that the defense was prepared to try both charges before a jury. The State Attorney's Office ultimately entered a Nolle Prosequi on all charges — a complete dismissal of both battery counts, leaving the client with no conviction, no probation, and no criminal record from this incident. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case depends on its facts and circumstances.