Florida just raised the stakes for anyone with a domestic violence conviction already on their record. RHINO Lawyers explains how HB 277’s new penalty structure is playing out in Tampa Bay courtrooms since taking effect July 1.
Tampa, FL, August 4, 2026 — House Bill 277 (Enhanced Domestic Violence Penalties), a Florida law reclassifying penalties for repeat domestic violence offenders, took effect July 1 after passing the state Legislature unanimously. RHINO Lawyers, a Tampa Bay firm handling criminal defense and personal injury cases, is advising clients on how the change affects pending and future cases.
Florida law already treats domestic violence differently from most criminal matters. Under Florida Statutes Section 741.28, the classification covers offenses including battery, assault, stalking, and false imprisonment against a spouse, relative, or someone who shares a home or child with the accused. Arrests are frequently made at the scene, and courts often issue a no-contact order within hours.
HB 277 adds a penalty enhancement for anyone with a prior domestic violence conviction. A misdemeanor tied to a repeat offense can be reclassified up one degree at sentencing, and a second violation of a protective injunction against the same victim now constitutes a third-degree felony rather than a first-degree misdemeanor.
“A prior conviction changes the calculus for a defendant almost immediately,” said Brandon F. Jones, Esq., Founding and Managing Attorney at RHINO Lawyers. “What might have resolved as a misdemeanor now carries the weight of a felony, and that requires a different defense strategy from day one.”
A conviction under Florida’s domestic violence statute already carries real weight: jail time, probation, and counseling as a condition of release. Firearm rights disappear on conviction, and the record doesn’t stay contained to a courtroom. It can surface later on a job application, a lease, or in a custody hearing.
Most of these cases start with a 911 call and officers arriving while the situation is still tense. What they document in those first minutes-statements, a neighbor’s account, a photo of an injury-often becomes the backbone of the case. Two people rarely remember an argument the same way, and that gap is frequently where a defense takes shape.
“The physical record matters more than ever with these enhanced penalties in play,” said Zachary D. Armocida, Esq., State and Federal Trial Attorney. “You have to look past what someone told an officer in the moment and focus on what the evidence supports.”
RHINO Lawyers represents clients across Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Fort Myers, where the reclassified penalties now apply. The firm’s criminal defense team continues to take on cases for clients who are injured or arrested throughout Florida.
Individuals facing domestic violence charges in Tampa Bay can request a free case evaluation by calling (844) 744-6677 or visiting www.rhinolawyers.com.
About RHINO Lawyers:
RHINO Lawyers is a Tampa-based firm handling criminal defense and personal injury cases across the greater Tampa Bay area. Its criminal defense lawyers, including former prosecutors and insurance defense counsel, represent clients facing criminal charges as well as those injured in auto, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents.
Media Contact:
Organization: RHINO Lawyers
Contact Person: Brandon F. Jones, Esquire
Phone Number: (844) 744-6677
Email: [email protected]
Address: 101 North 12th Street, Suite 102, Tampa, FL 33602
Website: https://www.rhinolawyers.com/
