Orlando Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
One accusation. Your home, your job, your firearm rights, and time with your children — all on the line.
If you have been accused of committing domestic violence, you need an assertive Orlando domestic violence attorney on your side as soon as possible. Because of the negative social stigma surrounding these charges, they can be difficult to fight, and prosecutors will not go easy on you. We can build an effective case to protect your rights and your future.
- Former Ninth Judicial Circuit public defender
- Your case handled personally by Jose E. Lopez
- Free, confidential consultation — in English or Spanish
Talk to a Defense Lawyer Today
Tell us what happened. Your consultation is free and confidential.
Prefer to talk now? Call 407.479.7009. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Practicing in Florida since 2008
Thousands of cases handled as a public defender
Se habla español — fully bilingual representation
Free consultations — call before your first court date
What Happens in the First Days After a Domestic Violence Arrest
You may still be reeling. An argument escalated, someone called 911, and now you are the one with a case number, a no-contact order, and a court date.
If the police are called for a domestic violence disturbance, they will almost always make an arrest — even if the alleged victim does not wish to press charges. Following an arrest, the state will decide whether to file formal charges. That window is exactly when defense work matters most, because what gets preserved, said, and documented in the first days shapes everything that follows.
Whether your situation was a misunderstanding or you were falsely accused, we know how to fight for your rights and interests.
Protect Yourself Right Now
Do not contact the alleged victim. If a no-contact order is in place, a single text — even one they invited — can become a separate criminal charge.
Do not explain your side to police. You are not going to talk your way out of an arrest that has already happened. You can decline politely and ask for a lawyer.
Do not post about it. Social media, group chats, and messages to mutual friends are all discoverable.
Do preserve everything. Photos, texts, call logs, medical records, and the names of anyone who was there or heard what happened.
Do call a lawyer before your first court date. Not after.
Domestic Violence Charges in Florida
Domestic violence is defined as the inflicting or threatening of physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse against a family member. It can be alleged by anyone with whom you share a close relationship — spouses, children, parents, siblings, roommates, and current or former dating partners.
Domestic Battery
The most common domestic violence charge in Orange County — often filed after a single 911 call, with no independent witness and no medical treatment.
Domestic Assault
An allegation that you threatened a household or family member. No physical contact is required for the state to pursue the charge.
Aggravated / Violent Offenses
Allegations involving claimed injury, a weapon, or repeat conduct. These carry the most exposure and demand immediate defense work.
Stalking & Cyberstalking
Text messages, social media activity, and repeated contact after a breakup are routinely reframed by the state as stalking.
False Imprisonment
Blocking a doorway or taking a phone during an argument is frequently charged as restraining someone against their will.
Violating a No-Contact Order
Answering a text from the alleged victim can create a brand-new charge — even when they reached out to you first.
What a Conviction Can Cost You
If you are convicted of domestic violence, you face a mandatory one-year minimum probation sentence during which you must attend a batterer’s intervention program. In cases where the offense caused bodily harm, you face a minimum five-day jail sentence. Depending on the details of your case and the severity of the offense, you could be sentenced to a combination of jail time, fines, and probation. If the offense was sexual in nature, you may also be required to register as a sex offender.
Beyond the sentence itself, a conviction can follow you into firearm rights, professional licensing, security clearances, housing applications, custody proceedings, and immigration status. This is not a charge to face without counsel.
There Are Two Sides to Every Domestic Case
Police arriving mid-argument make a fast decision with incomplete information. Our job is to slow that down, gather what was never collected, and make the state prove its case rather than assume it.
The allegation is false or exaggerated
Divorce, custody disputes, jealousy, and immigration leverage all give people a reason to overstate what happened. We work to expose the motive behind the accusation.
You were defending yourself
Officers responding to a chaotic scene often arrest the person who is calmer, larger, or less injured. Being the one in handcuffs does not mean you were the aggressor.
The story keeps changing
We compare the 911 call, body-camera footage, written statements, and later interviews. Inconsistencies between them are powerful leverage with the prosecutor.
The evidence does not support the charge
No injuries, no photographs, no witnesses, no medical records. We press the state to prove every element rather than rely on a single accusation.
Your rights were violated
An unlawful entry, a search without consent, or questioning after you asked for a lawyer can put the state’s own evidence off limits.
Every case is different. The strategies described here are general and do not constitute legal advice or a prediction about any particular case.
Getting Help Takes One Phone Call
Tell us what happened
Call or send the form. You speak with the firm directly — in English or Spanish — and nothing you share is repeated outside of it.
We review your situation
We walk through the arrest, any no-contact order, your court date, and the realistic paths forward, including where the state’s case looks weakest.
You decide what’s next
You will know the fee, the plan, and the timeline before committing to anything. If we are not the right fit, we will say so.
What People Say After Working With Jose
I am very satisfied with the service I received from my attorney. Mr Jose E. Lopez went above and beyond to make sure I understood the case and all my options. Now I can see why there are so many positive testimonials about this law firm. I highly recommend this law firm.— Luis R.
Attorney Jose Lopez was very professional and worked hard to achieve the results that were needed to win our case. If you want an attorney that will go the extra mile for you to get the job done right I highly recommend Attorney Jose Lopez.— Doc M.
I have used Mr.Lopez in the past and he was great. He is very knowledgeable, professional and down to earth. What I like best was that he broke everything down to me so I can better understand the process. Whenever I had any questions or concerns he called me right back. He made me feel secure that he had my best interest at heart. I will definitively recommend him to everyone I know!— Lisa C.
Compassionate, committed to the case. 24/7 available. Will go the extra mile. Knowledgeable and professional. Make you feel secure. Fees reasonable…— Luis Martinez
Testimonials reflect the experience of individual clients and are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Jose E. Lopez, Founding Attorney
Mr. Lopez began his career as a public defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where he handled thousands of cases ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies.
He founded this firm with a single goal: to give clients the one-on-one attention they deserve while dealing with one of the hardest moments of their lives. His clients work with him and no one else. He believes clients need to be well informed to make the best decisions about their own case — which is why he takes the time to explain the process in plain language, in English or Spanish.
- Admitted to practice in the State of Florida in 2008
- Admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
- Juris Doctor, Stetson University College of Law
- B.A., University of Central Florida
- Born in Puerto Rico; raised in Central Florida; fluent in Spanish
¿Lo acusaron de violencia doméstica en Orlando?
Una acusación puede afectar su empleo, su hogar y el tiempo con sus hijos. El abogado Jose E. Lopez nació en Puerto Rico y habla español con fluidez. Usted puede recibir asesoría y representación completamente en español.
La consulta inicial es gratuita y confidencial.
Domestic Violence Defense FAQs
Domestic violence in Florida involves alleged abuse or threats against a family or household member, such as a spouse, former partner, roommate, parent, child, or someone you are dating or previously dated. The accusation does not require serious physical injury to result in charges.
Usually not. If police are called for a domestic disturbance, they will almost always make an arrest — even if the alleged victim does not wish to press charges. After the arrest, the State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file formal charges, and that decision does not belong to the accuser. A recantation can still matter a great deal to your defense, but it has to be handled through your attorney, not through direct contact.
If you are convicted, you face a mandatory minimum probation term of one year during which you must attend a batterer’s intervention program. Where the offense caused bodily harm, a minimum five-day jail sentence applies. Depending on the facts and severity, a sentence may combine jail time, fines, and probation, and a conviction can carry lasting consequences for firearm rights, employment, housing, and immigration status.
In some cases, yes. Outcomes depend on the evidence, the credibility of the allegations, witness statements, and whether constitutional rights were violated. A defense attorney can assess whether dismissal or reduction is realistic in your specific case. No attorney can promise a result.
Ask who will actually handle your file day to day, how much of the lawyer’s practice is devoted to criminal defense, whether they have worked inside the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and how they communicate between court dates. At this firm, Jose E. Lopez handles his clients’ cases personally — his clients work with him and no one else.
Stop discussing the case with anyone other than your attorney. Do not contact the alleged victim in any way, including through friends or social media, if a no-contact order is in place. Preserve your phone, messages, photos, and the names of anyone who saw what happened. Then call a lawyer before your first court date.
The consultation is free. Fees depend on the charge, the court, and how far the case is likely to go, and they are discussed openly with you before you decide anything. You will not be asked to commit to representation during the first call.
Yes. Attorney Jose E. Lopez was born in Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. You can be consulted, represented, and kept informed entirely in Spanish.
Call Our Orlando Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
We recognize how devastating these penalties could be. Whether your situation was a misunderstanding or you were falsely accused, we know how to fight for your rights and interests.
Reach out today — the sooner we start, the more options you are likely to have.
Our Orlando Office
618 E South St. #500, Orlando, FL 32801
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Attorney Advertising. This page is an advertisement for legal services by the Law Offices of Jose E. Lopez, P.A., 618 E South St. #500, Orlando, FL 32801. Jose E. Lopez is responsible for its content.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Testimonial disclaimer. Client testimonials appearing on this page reflect the individual experiences of those clients and are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any other legal matter.
The information on this page is general in nature, is not legal advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. Contacting the firm by phone or through a form on this page does not create an attorney-client relationship, and information sent before such a relationship is established may not be treated as confidential.
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