Florida Military Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers – Florida UCMJ Attorneys

Elite Civilian Court-Martial Attorneys Defending Service Members Accused of Sexual Assault Across All Florida Bases

Being accused of sexual assault in the military is devastating — emotionally, professionally, and personally. In Florida, where massive military populations intersect with heavy alcohol, Spring Break tourism, transient civilian crowds, nightlife districts, and politically pressured commands, false or exaggerated sexual assault allegations happen every week.

At Florida installations like NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport, NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Tyndall AFB, Patrick Space Force Base, MacDill AFB, NSA Panama City, and NAS Key West — along with Coast Guard Sectors in Miami, Clearwater, Jacksonville & Key West — sexual assault cases are aggressively investigated and prosecuted.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is one of America’s premier military sexual assault defense firms. Led by former JAG Michael Waddington and trial strategist Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, we defend service members facing Article 120 allegations at the highest stakes. Our firm has decades of global experience dismantling false accusations, exposing unreliable witnesses, and winning impossible cases.

Most sexual assault accusations in Florida involve alcohol, poor memory, regret, jealousy, miscommunication, or false narratives created after-the-fact.

➤ Request a Confidential Florida Sexual Assault Defense Strategy Session

Why Florida Is a Hotbed for Military Sexual Assault Accusations

Florida’s environment produces more sexual assault allegations than almost anywhere else in the military.

Risk Factors Unique to Florida:

• Heavy alcohol consumption in Pensacola Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Destin, Clearwater, Tampa/Ybor, Wynwood, Miami Beach, Key West
• Large populations of intoxicated civilians interacting with service members
• Spring Break tourism and out-of-state civilians
• Training schools (Pensacola, Whiting, NDSTC) full of young, stressed students
• Aviation, SOF & intel units under extreme scrutiny
• Florida police escalation of even minor allegations
• Commands terrified of “sexual assault optics”
• NCIS/OSI/CID/CGIS bias — they almost always assume guilt

This creates a perfect storm where false allegations flourish.

Most Florida Sexual Assault Cases Start With:

• An intoxicated civilian who misremembers a consensual encounter
• A service member trying to cover up cheating
• Jealous partners or exes
• Consensual hookups that become “regretted decisions” the next morning
• Roommate drama or command gossip
• Social media posts taken out of context
• Friends influencing the accuser’s memory
• Accusers pressured by Florida police or military leadership

What Florida Military Members Can Expect After an Accusation

In Florida military commands, the moment a sexual assault allegation occurs:

• NCIS/OSI/CID/CGIS opens a criminal investigation immediately
• Command issues a no-contact order
• You lose access to weapons & security clearances
• You are removed from your duties
• Your chain of command is told to distance themselves from you
• You face social isolation
• Rumors spread quickly across your unit

The presumption of innocence does not exist in the modern military — and especially not in Florida.

Most Common Types of Military Sexual Assault Allegations in Florida

1. Alcohol-Driven Consent Confusion

Most Florida military sexual assault cases involve intoxicated civilians or service members:

• Civilian accusers who drank heavily at bars or beaches
• Both parties intoxicated — but the accused is blamed
• Regretted decisions later framed as non-consensual
• Accusers unable to recall events clearly

2. False Allegations from Breakups or Jealousy

• Accusers who fabricated allegations after a relationship ended
• Partners retaliating after arguments or infidelity

3. Barracks or Roommate Conflicts

• Accusations arising from social drama
• Peers supporting accusers out of loyalty or bias

4. Civilian Accusers Seeking Attention or Revenge

Florida tourist areas are hotspots for false claims made by intoxicated or confused civilians.

5. Cases Built on Rumors Alone

• No forensic evidence
• No witnesses
• Inconsistent stories
• Accusers influenced by friends or command

How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends Florida Military Sexual Assault Cases

We are known for winning cases that others thought were unwinnable. Our defense approach is aggressive, evidence-based, and tailored to the unique command climates in Florida.

1. Attacking the Accuser’s Credibility

• Expose inconsistencies in their story
• Reconstruct timelines
• Use witnesses the government ignored
• Highlight intoxication, memory problems, or motives to lie

2. Discrediting Military Law Enforcement

• NCIS training deficiencies
• OSI coercive tactics
• CID incompetence
• CGIS command pressure issues

We frequently show investigators made assumptions long before collecting evidence.

3. Using Digital Evidence to Prove Innocence

Texts, social media messages, GPS, call logs, videos, and metadata often reveal the truth:

• Flirtatious messages after the encounter
• Accusers expressing regret, not assault
• Timelines that contradict allegations
• GPS showing consensual movement
• Follow-up behavior inconsistent with trauma

4. Psychological & Forensic Expert Testimony

• Memory distortion from alcohol
• False memory formation
• Suggestibility from peers or investigators

5. Presenting an Alternative Narrative

We show the panel what really happened — not the exaggerated, emotional version the government presents.

Why Florida Service Members Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

• Decades of global military sexual assault defense
• Elite cross-examination skills that break accuser narratives
• Mastery of digital forensics & military law enforcement tactics
• Track record of major acquittals in top Florida bases
• Authors of leading books on cross-examination and trial warfare
• Known for winning cases others refused to take

Our firm has defended sexual assault cases on every continent and at every major Florida installation. When your life is on the line, you need the best.

Pro Tips for Service Members Accused of Sexual Assault in Florida

• Never speak to NCIS, OSI, CID, or CGIS. Innocent statements will be twisted.
• Do NOT contact the accuser.
• Preserve digital evidence — texts, snaps, messages, screenshots.
• Avoid alcohol & nightlife during the investigation.
• Stay off social media.
• Do not discuss the case with friends or coworkers.
• Create a detailed timeline with every detail remembered.
• Hire an experienced civilian lawyer immediately.

Your life, future, rank, clearance, and freedom depend on what you do now.

➤ Request an Immediate Florida Sexual Assault Defense Consultation

Florida Military Sexual Assault Defense – Frequently Asked Questions