Battery Attorney in Tallahassee

Former Major Crimes Prosecutor Defending Battery Charges in Leon County

A battery charge in Tallahassee creates a permanent criminal record and sets a legal process in motion that moves fast. Attorney Nathan Prince spent years on the other side of that process as a senior state prosecutor in the major crimes division, handling charges ranging from armed robbery to murder. He now brings that inside knowledge to battery defense, applying the same analytical framework prosecutors use to build cases, but in service of the accused. That vantage point shapes every decision made on a client’s behalf, from the initial case evaluation to the courtroom.

We’ve handled over 2,500 cases, including serious violent crime matters. Notable results include Not Guilty verdicts in both a Sexual Battery case and a 1st Degree Murder case. Those outcomes don’t guarantee similar results in any individual case, but they reflect the level of preparation we bring to every charge.

If you’ve been charged with battery in Tallahassee, the first days after an arrest are critical. Call (850) 601-5690 anytime, day or night, for a free case evaluation with Attorney Prince.

Battery Charges Under Florida Law

Florida defines battery under Florida Statute 784.03 as intentionally touching or striking another person against their will, or intentionally causing bodily harm. No visible injury is required. The charge exists on a spectrum, and where a case lands depends on the circumstances, the alleged victim’s status, and any prior record.

Understanding how charges can escalate is essential for anyone facing an accusation:

• Simple battery (Florida Statute 784.03): A first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense. A prior battery conviction automatically elevates the charge to a third-degree felony.
• Felony battery (Florida Statute 784.041): Applies when intentional contact results in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Charged as a third-degree felony.
• Aggravated battery (Florida Statute 784.045): A second-degree felony when a deadly weapon is used, great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement is intentionally caused, or the victim was pregnant and the defendant knew or should have known.
• Battery on a protected person (Florida Statute 784.07): Battery against a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or EMT is automatically elevated to a third-degree felony, regardless of the severity of contact.
• Domestic battery: Battery against a family or household member carries consequences beyond the criminal penalties, including the inability to seal or expunge the conviction and loss of the right to possess firearms under federal law.

Battery and assault are legally distinct offenses in Florida. Assault involves no physical contact; battery requires actual intentional contact. The distinction matters for both charging decisions and defense strategy.

Penalties for a Battery Conviction in Tallahassee

The consequences depend on the charge level. Florida law sets these maximum penalties:

• Simple battery (first-degree misdemeanor): Up to one year in county jail, one year of probation, and a $1,000 fine
• Felony battery (third-degree felony): Up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine
• Aggravated battery (second-degree felony): Up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine

Florida’s 10-20-Life law can impose mandatory minimum sentences when a firearm is involved: 10 years for possession during the offense, 20 years for discharge, and 25 years to life if the discharge caused great bodily harm or death. A felony battery conviction can also result in a Violent Felony Offender designation under Florida law, affecting bond eligibility and probation conditions in any future criminal matter.

Even a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent record that follows a person into employment screenings, housing applications, professional licensing proceedings, and child custody disputes.

Defense Strategies in Florida Battery Cases

The state must prove every element of a battery charge beyond a reasonable doubt, including intent. Accidental contact can’t support a conviction. That burden is the foundation of every defense we examine. Attorney Prince approaches each case the way a prosecutor would, identifying where the state’s evidence is strong and where it’s vulnerable. That framework comes from years spent inside the State Attorney’s Office, not outside looking in.

Depending on the facts, available defenses include:

• Self-defense: Florida’s Stand Your Ground law eliminates the duty to retreat before using reasonable force to prevent imminent harm. A well-supported self-defense claim can make immunity from prosecution available before a case reaches trial.
• Defense of others: Reasonable force used to protect a third party from imminent harm is a recognized defense under Florida law.
• Consent and mutual combat: Where both parties voluntarily engaged in the altercation, this can negate the against-the-will element of the charge.
• Mistaken identity or false accusation: Witness statements, police reports, and surveillance footage all require scrutiny when identification is in dispute.
• Constitutional challenges: If the investigation or arrest violated a defendant’s rights, suppression of evidence can alter the course of the case entirely.
• Statutory thresholds in aggravated battery: Whether a weapon qualifies as deadly under Florida law, or whether the alleged harm meets the statutory definition, are central questions in felony-level battery defense.

Why Tallahassee Clients Choose Law Office of Nathan Prince

Attorney Prince’s tenure as a senior prosecutor in the major crimes division included homicide, kidnapping, narcotics trafficking, armed robbery, and sexual offense cases. He also served as the designated public corruption specialist for Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit. That background means he understands how the Leon County State Attorney’s Office evaluates battery cases, what evidence they prioritize, and where defense arguments land most effectively.

He is licensed to practice in all Florida state courts and in the Northern District of Florida federal court. Clients throughout Leon County and the surrounding region, including Bay County, have access to representation that covers every battery charge level, from first-degree misdemeanor to aggravated battery. Attorney Prince accepts calls 24 hours a day because arrests don’t follow a schedule, and neither should access to a defense attorney.

Start Your Battery Defense Today

Battery charges move quickly through the Florida court system. The earlier a battery attorney is involved, the more options exist for preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, and positioning the defense before the prosecution gains a head start. A free case evaluation costs nothing and can change the trajectory of what comes next.

Call (850) 601-5690 now to speak directly with Attorney Prince. We’re available around the clock for clients facing battery charges in Tallahassee and throughout North Florida.