Florida Military Alcohol-Related Offense Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Defense for DUI, Drunk & Disorderly, Public Intoxication & Alcohol-Driven Misconduct at All Florida Military Bases

Alcohol-related offenses are among the most common military disciplinary problems in Florida — and among the most aggressively punished. Florida’s unique mix of beaches, nightlife, Spring Break culture, alcohol-saturated tourism, military towns, training pipelines, and high operational tempo makes service members extremely vulnerable to alcohol-related allegations.

Whether the case involves DUI, drunk & disorderly conduct, public intoxication, bar fights, domestic incidents involving alcohol, underage drinking, property damage, or resisting without violence, military commands in Florida respond swiftly and harshly.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is one of America’s leading military defense firms for alcohol-related crimes. We defend service members across Florida accused of alcohol misuse, DUI, and misconduct tied to intoxication — whether on base, off base, or aboard ship.

Most alcohol-related allegations are exaggerated, based on unreliable witnesses, influenced by intoxication, or escalated by Florida police who treat service members far more harshly than civilians.

➤ Speak with a Florida Military Alcohol Offense Defense Lawyer

Why Florida Is the #1 Hotspot for Military Alcohol Offenses

Florida generates more alcohol-related military cases than almost any other state because:

• Nightlife districts (Jacksonville Beach, Pensacola Beach, Clearwater, Destin, Miami Beach, Ybor City, Key West)
• High tourism with massive intoxicated civilian crowds
• Training pipelines full of young service members
• Aviation, SOF, and intel communities with strict discipline
• Florida police overcharge military members to “teach lessons”
• Commands terrified of bad press
• Underage drinking traps near base communities
• Local culture of bars, clubs, and beachfront drinking

One night out in Florida can lead to life-changing allegations.

What Florida Alcohol-Related Cases Look Like

We defend military members accused of:

1. DUI / Drunk Driving (On or Off Base)

• Arrests by civilian police in Florida cities
• BAC levels challenged due to testing errors
• Refusal to blow cases
• DUI on scooters, bicycles, golf carts & POVs (Florida prosecutes them)
• “Sleeping in the vehicle” DUI allegations

2. Drunk & Disorderly / Public Intoxication

• Arrests near bars, beaches & nightlife districts
• Cases involving no actual violence
• Civilian misunderstandings or false accusations

3. Bar Fights / Assault While Intoxicated

• Common around Pensacola, Key West, Jacksonville, Tampa & Miami
• Most based on unreliable, intoxicated witnesses

4. Alcohol-Related Domestic Violence Allegations

• Florida police “mandatory arrest” policies
• Arguing couples misinterpreted as violent
• Accusers intoxicated or emotional

5. Underage Drinking (Very Common in Training Commands)

• Pensacola flight school
• Whiting Field
• NDSTC Panama City
• Coast Guard A-School environments

6. Resisting Arrest Without Violence (Florida Statute Trap)

• Often used against intoxicated service members
• Civilian police escalate unnecessarily

7. Property Damage / Disorderly Conduct

• Thrown chairs, broken bar items
• Accidental damage from intoxication

8. On-Base Alcohol Incidents

• Drunk driving through gate
• Fights in barracks
• Barracks parties
• RWI (riding while intoxicated) on scooters or e-bikes

Florida Military Members Are Punished More Harshly Than Civilians

When a civilian gets arrested in Florida for a minor alcohol offense, they often get:

• A fine
• Community service
• Case dismissed or reduced

When a military member is arrested in Florida, they often face:

• Article 15/NJP
• Administrative separation
• Loss of rank
• Loss of pay
• GOMOR/Page 11
• BOI/Show Cause
• Court-martial
• Security clearance suspension

The military double-punishes alcohol cases in Florida. We stop that from happening.

How Alcohol-Related Military Investigations Begin in Florida

Most cases start with one of the following triggers:

• Civilian police arrest (Florida officers treat military harshly)
• Gate traffic stop at base entry
• Barracks disturbance call
• 911 call from neighbors or civilians
• Security Forces / MPs involvement
• NCIS/OSI/CID/CGIS notification
• Social media videos posted by civilians

Once notified, commands immediately assume misconduct — even if the civilian case is dismissed.

How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends Alcohol Cases in Florida

We specialize in dismantling alcohol-related allegations using forensic analysis, cross-examination, civilian court strategy, and aggressive military defense tactics.

1. DUI Defense Strategies

• Challenge BAC testing equipment
• Attack breathalyzer calibration
• Question officer training & procedures
• Expose unlawful stops
• Demonstrate “actual physical control” wasn’t proven

2. Drunk & Disorderly / Public Intoxication Defense

• Challenge probable cause
• Show lack of violent or disruptive behavior
• Expose witness intoxication and inconsistency

3. Bar Fight Defense

• Self-defense arguments
• Highlight witness intoxication
• Prove mistaken identity
• Show civilian involvement triggered escalation

4. Alcohol-Related Domestic Disputes

• Expose exaggerated or false allegations
• Use bodycam to contradict accuser
• Show mutual intoxication and lack of intent
• Demonstrate no injuries or inconsistent injuries

5. Resisting Without Violence Defense

• Prove officer overreaction
• Expose civilian police escalation bias
• Argue involuntary reflex movements

6. Underage Drinking Defense

• Challenge ID procedures
• Prove no actual consumption
• Attack unreliable witness claims

7. Administrative Defense

• GOMOR rebuttals
• Page 11 rebuttals
• Separation board defense
• BOI defense
• Retention packages

Florida Bases Where We Defend Alcohol Cases

• NAS Jacksonville
• NS Mayport
• NAS Pensacola
• NAS Whiting Field
• NAS Key West
• NSA Panama City / NDSTC
• Eglin AFB
• Hurlburt Field
• Tyndall AFB
• MacDill AFB
• Patrick Space Force Base
• Homestead ARB
• USCG Sector Miami
• USCG Sector Jacksonville
• USCG Sector Key West
• AIRSTA Clearwater

Pro Tips for Florida Service Members Facing Alcohol Allegations

• Do NOT speak to investigators — period.
• Hire civilian counsel immediately.
• Collect witness names from the night of the event.
• Save bodycam footage requests ASAP.
• Document your timeline immediately.
• Avoid social media posts until the case ends.
• Do NOT apologize to command without legal advice.
• Do NOT sign written statements.

➤ Get a Florida Military DUI/Alcohol Defense Lawyer

Florida Military Alcohol Offense Defense – Frequently Asked Questions

Authoritative Resource:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – DUI Standards