Florida Military Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Defense for Article 128b Domestic Violence Allegations at All Florida Military Bases

Domestic violence allegations are among the most common and most devastating accusations faced by service members in Florida. Due to Florida’s strict policing policies, aggressive arrest procedures, high-stress family environments, alcohol-driven nightlife, and commands terrified of PR and liability, even small arguments often escalate into criminal accusations.

When civilian police respond to a domestic call — especially in Florida — military members are often arrested automatically or listed as the “primary aggressor” regardless of the truth. That police report is then forwarded to the command, triggering:

• NCIS, OSI, CID, or CGIS investigation
• No-contact orders
• Loss of weapons and access
• Security clearance suspension
• Article 15 / NJP proceedings
• Administrative separation
• BOI or Show Cause Board
• Court-martial under Article 128b

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is one of America’s most experienced military defense firms handling domestic violence cases. We defend service members accused of domestic assault, strangulation, threats, harassment, and alleged physical or emotional abuse across all Florida installations.

Most military domestic violence cases in Florida are based on exaggeration, misinterpretation, intoxication, emotional arguments, or outright falsehoods.

➤ Request a Confidential Florida Domestic Violence Defense Consultation

Why Domestic Violence Cases Are So Common in Florida’s Military Community

Florida has unique risk factors that drastically increase the rate of domestic violence accusations — especially for military families:

• High stress environments due to deployments, schools, training, and long hours
• Young families living far from home support systems
• Alcohol-heavy nightlife in Jacksonville Beach, Pensacola Beach, Destin, Miami Beach, Tampa, and Key West
• Small apartments & close quarters causing conflict in military housing
• Civilian police escalation — Florida officers almost always separate parties and often arrest the service member
• Commands that punish before investigating
• Miscommunication under stress leading to exaggerated or fabricated claims
• Jealousy, infidelity, breakups, & relationship drama common in transient military towns

Most Florida DV cases begin with:

• Yelling or arguing that neighbors misinterpret
• A spouse or partner calling 911 out of anger
• Both parties intoxicated
• Minor physical contact exaggerated into “assault”
• A partner striking themselves or lying about injuries
• Accusations made after a breakup or divorce filing

Florida domestic violence law strongly favors the accuser — and so do military commands.

What Happens After a Domestic Violence Allegation in Florida?

Once a domestic allegation occurs, a predictable chain reaction begins:

Step 1: Florida Civilian Police Respond

• Mandatory separation of parties
• Mandatory arrest in many counties if ANY allegation of violence is made
• Overly broad police reports often written to justify the arrest

Step 2: Report Is Sent to the Military

• Your command is notified instantly
• Violence Prevention Program / FAP involvement begins
• Chain of command issues no-contact orders
• Weapons and duty access removed

Step 3: Military Criminal Investigators Take Over

• NCIS at NAS Jacksonville, Mayport, Pensacola, Key West
• OSI at Eglin, Hurlburt, Tyndall, MacDill, Patrick SFB
• CID for Army members at USAG Miami, Reserve units
• CGIS at Coast Guard installations across Florida

Step 4: Command Punishment Follows

• Article 15 / NJP
• Administrative separation
• BOI for officers
• Court-martial (Article 128b DV)

The military almost always assumes guilt immediately — even when the allegation is false, exaggerated, or unsupported.

Most Common Military Domestic Violence Accusations in Florida

1. Domestic Battery (Striking, slapping, pushing)

In Florida, even extremely minor contact can be charged as a DV offense.

2. Strangulation Allegations

• Often fabricated or exaggerated
• Accusers rarely show physical signs
• Florida prosecutors treat these allegations extremely seriously

3. Threats or Harassment

• Text messages taken out of context
• Statements made during heated arguments
• Civilian partners exaggerating to police

4. Destroying Property / Criminal Mischief

5. Emotional or Psychological Abuse

6. Allegations Made Out of Revenge

• Breakups, custody disputes, jealousy, infidelity
• Accusers using the military system for leverage

False & Exaggerated Domestic Violence Allegations Are Extremely Common in Florida

Florida military towns have unusually high rates of false or inflated DV claims due to:

• Young military couples under severe stress
• Alcohol consumption
• Financial pressure
• Relationship instability
• Cultural and linguistic misunderstandings with civilian partners
• Mental health issues that go unreported
• Jealousy, breakups & revenge motives

Our firm has defended countless service members who were falsely accused when their partner acted out of anger, fear, intoxication, or spite.

How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends Military Domestic Violence Cases in Florida

1. Exposing Lies, Exaggeration & Motivations

• Breakups & infidelity retaliation
• Revenge for custody or financial disputes
• Covering up their own misconduct
• Alcohol-induced false memories

2. Attacking Weak Evidence

• No injuries
• Inconsistent statements
• Medical reports that contradict the story
• Witness testimony proving nothing occurred

3. Challenging Florida Police Reports

• Officers often assume guilt immediately
• Reports are written to justify arrests
• Bodycam footage often contradicts accusations

4. Exposing NCIS/OSI/CID/CGIS Bias

Military investigators almost always impair fairness by:

• Believing the accuser instantly
• Ignoring exonerating evidence
• Asking leading questions
• Misstating facts in their reports

5. Using Digital Evidence to Prove Innocence

• Texts showing reconciliation
• Messages showing aggression by the accuser
• GPS proving timelines
• Social media inconsistencies

6. Building Mitigation & Retention Packages

• Character letters
• Service history
• Deployment evidence
• Peer & leadership testimony

Our goal: prevent court-martial, avoid separation, preserve your rank, your benefits, and your future.

Florida Bases Where We Defend DV 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 Accused of Domestic Violence

• Do not talk to investigators.
• Do not contact the accuser.
• Save all texts, screenshots, videos, and messages.
• Avoid all nightlife & alcohol environments.
• Document the incident immediately — in detail.
• Get medical evidence if injuries were mutual or you were harmed.
• Do not make statements to chain of command.
• Hire an experienced civilian military lawyer immediately.

➤ Speak with a Florida Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Florida Military Domestic Violence Defense – Frequently Asked Questions

Authoritative Military Resource: Military Family & Support Programs