Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Charges in Florida: What the Law Says and What Happens Next
How Florida law defines domestic violence, what the label adds to a charge, how no-contact orders and minimum jail terms work, and…
Topic
Domestic Violence
What counts as domestic violence in Florida and how these cases are handled.
Florida law does not have a single crime called domestic violence. Section 741.28 defines domestic violence as any of a list of offenses, including assault, battery, and stalking, committed by one family or household member against another. The label has consequences: a minimum jail term when bodily harm was intentionally caused (section 741.283), a bar on sealing or expunging the record after a plea, and, since July 1, 2026, a higher offense level for people with a prior domestic violence conviction.
Guides
Florida statutes on this topic
Plain-language summaries, each linked to the official text.
- F.S. §741.28 — Domestic Violence: Definitions Defines “domestic violence” and “family or household member” for Florida’s domestic violence laws.
- F.S. §741.283 — Minimum Term of Imprisonment for Domestic Violence Requires a minimum county jail term when a person is adjudicated guilty of a crime of domestic violence and intentionally caused bodily harm.
Official resources
Government and bar sources for checking the current law and procedures.
- Florida StatutesThe Florida Senate (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Rules of Criminal ProcedureThe Florida Bar (opens in a new tab)
- Florida CourtsFlorida State Courts System (opens in a new tab)
- Seal and Expunge ProcessFlorida Department of Law Enforcement (opens in a new tab)
- Driver licenses and suspensionsFlorida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (opens in a new tab)
- Lawyer Referral ServiceThe Florida Bar (opens in a new tab)