Criminal Defense · Tampa Bay

Tampa Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers

A domestic violence allegation can affect where you live, whom you may contact, and what happens at your next court appearance. Nicole N. Sanchez and Tyler K. Vaughn represent people facing criminal allegations across Tampa Bay. We review the charge, the evidence, and any court orders so you can understand the decisions ahead.

Request a consultation · Call 813.582.5188 · Text 813.401.9918

A criminal case and an injunction are different

One incident can lead to more than one court proceeding. Identify every case number, hearing date, and order you have received.

Criminal case

The State prosecutes an alleged offense. After a domestic violence arrest, release conditions may restrict contact or impose other requirements. The court's written order determines what you must follow while the case is pending. Florida Statutes § 903.047.

Civil injunction

A person may separately petition for an injunction for protection against domestic violence. A judge may enter a temporary order before a full hearing. The injunction proceeding has its own papers, deadlines, and potential restrictions. Bring those documents even if you are also facing a criminal charge. Florida Statutes § 741.30.

After an arrest: release and no-contact orders

Start with the actual order

Florida law requires a person arrested for domestic violence to be brought before the court for a bail determination before release. Keep the release paperwork and confirm the next court date. Florida Statutes § 741.2901(3).

When the court imposes a no-contact condition, prohibited contact can include calls, messages, social media, and communication through another person. Read the exact restrictions and any exceptions in your order. An invitation from the other person does not modify a court order. Florida Statutes § 903.047(1)(b).

Children, belongings, and requests to change an order

Tell counsel about shared children, medications, belongings, or housing concerns. Do not assume that a practical need creates an exception. Counsel can assess a request for court-approved arrangements or a modification; the judge decides whether a change is appropriate. Florida Statutes § 903.047(2).

What to bring to a consultation

Bring the documents you already have. You do not need to obtain the entire police file before asking for help.

Case information: County, case number, arrest paperwork, charging documents, and upcoming court dates.
Every order: Release conditions, no-contact orders, injunction petitions, temporary or final injunctions, and related family-court orders.
A short timeline: What happened before, during, and after the incident, including who was present and any police contact.
Existing records: Relevant messages, photographs, recordings, medical records, or other documents already lawfully available to you.
Evidence locations: Names of potential witnesses and locations of doorbell cameras, business cameras, or other recordings.
Immediate concerns: Housing, children, work, professional licensing, firearm restrictions, and any investigator's request for an interview.

Preserve records in their original form. Do not alter messages, access someone else's accounts, or contact a protected person or potential witness to coordinate an account. Ask our team how to provide sensitive material securely.

What makes an allegation domestic violence?

Florida's definition addresses both the alleged conduct and the relationship between the people involved. It includes specified offenses and other criminal offenses resulting in physical injury or death between family or household members. The relationship definition has specific requirements, including a special rule for parents who share a child. Florida Statutes § 741.28(2)–(3).

The domestic violence designation does not replace the need to examine the elements of the underlying offense. We review what the State alleges, whether the evidence supports that charge, and whether the statutory relationship requirements apply. An allegation involving a disagreement between partners should be assessed using the actual facts and charge.

Reviewing the evidence and possible defenses

An arrest report is one account of an incident. Relevant evidence may include 911 recordings, dispatch records, body-camera footage, photographs, medical records, witness accounts, and the full context of messages or recordings.

We examine the sequence of events, the source of each statement, conflicting accounts, and evidence that may support or undermine the allegation. Depending on the case, the analysis may include disputed identity, intent, whether the alleged conduct occurred, self-defense, or the admissibility of particular evidence.

Tell counsel where potentially useful evidence may exist so preservation needs can be assessed promptly. Our Battery & Violent Crimes page and Self-Defense / Stand Your Ground page explain related issues. No defense or motion guarantees dismissal.

Related orders and firearm restrictions

Review each proceeding separately

An injunction can impose restrictions involving contact, a shared residence, and temporary arrangements concerning children. Changing an injunction requires action in that proceeding; a development in the criminal case should not be treated as permission to disregard a separate order. Either party may ask the court to modify or dissolve a domestic violence injunction. Florida Statutes § 741.30(5), (6), and (10).

Check firearm restrictions before acting

A qualifying final injunction can prohibit firearm and ammunition possession under Florida law. Review the actual order, any criminal release conditions, and possible federal restrictions with counsel. Florida Statutes § 790.233.

Our Weapons & Firearm Defense page and Federal Firearms Offenses page provide related information. Tell us about every order and charge so their interaction can be reviewed together.

Your criminal defense attorneys

Nicole N. Sanchez and Tyler K. Vaughn handle criminal defense matters for Sanchez Vaughn, Trial Lawyers. Both represent people facing criminal allegations in Tampa Bay.

Nicole N. Sanchez

Nicole is a former lead felony prosecutor and is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar. She handles criminal defense matters and speaks Spanish.

Meet Nicole N. Sanchez

Tyler K. Vaughn

Tyler handles criminal defense matters, including the review of allegations, evidence, and the decisions facing a client. He earned his law degree from Stetson University College of Law.

Meet Tyler K. Vaughn

Questions before the first consultation

Will the case end if the other person wants to drop it?

Not automatically. The State Attorney's Office makes the prosecution decision and may proceed despite the other person's objection. A changed account or request not to prosecute must be evaluated alongside the other evidence. Florida Statutes § 741.2901(2).

What if the other person calls or messages me?

Do not assume you may respond. Follow the court's order, preserve the communication, and ask counsel about the restriction. The other person's consent does not itself change a no-contact condition.

Do I need to address an injunction if there is also a criminal case?

Yes. Treat the injunction papers and hearing date as a separate matter. Bring both sets of documents so counsel can discuss the proceedings, representation needs, and any request to modify an order.

Can I speak with a lawyer before an arrest?

Yes. If an officer or investigator requests an interview, tell us the agency, any paperwork you received, and the requested response date. You can seek legal advice before deciding how to respond.

Discuss the next step in your case

Tell us the county, the charge if known, whether you have received an injunction, and the next court date. Nicole N. Sanchez and Tyler K. Vaughn can review the situation and discuss whether the firm may be able to represent you.