Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney,
Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney – Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
If you were arrested or are under investigation in Tampa, the decisions made in the first few days shape the rest of your case. The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. has defended thousands of clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties, from first-time misdemeanors to capital felonies. Our founder, Tampa criminal defense attorney Rocky Brancato, served as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, overseeing a staff of over 100 attorneys, and has tried more than 150 jury trials to verdict. Call (813) 727-7159 for a free consultation. You can call us at any hour.
What Does a Criminal Charge in Florida Put at Risk?
A Florida criminal conviction follows you long after the case closes. A felony conviction brings a permanent criminal record, a ban on possessing firearms under section 790.23, Florida Statutes, the loss of your right to vote until every part of the sentence is complete, and lasting barriers to jobs, housing, and professional licenses. A misdemeanor conviction also shows up on background checks, and Florida generally does not allow an adult conviction to be sealed or expunged.
That is why our attorneys prepare a first-time DUI with the same care as a capital case. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., trial attorneys handle every case, with support from our paralegals and staff. If you need a Hillsborough County criminal defense attorney, call us at (813) 727-7159.
Who Defends Our Clients, and What Experience Do They Bring?
Rocky Brancato has defended people charged with crimes in Hillsborough County for more than 25 years, from first-offense DUIs to homicide. He founded The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. to give every client that depth of experience, and every attorney at the firm works to the standards he set.
As Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, Rocky oversaw a staff of over 100 attorneys and worked on the policies that shape how cases are charged, negotiated, and tried in the 13th Judicial Circuit. That work showed him how charging decisions are made, where the State’s cases tend to break down, and which arguments move prosecutors and judges. He has used that knowledge for one purpose throughout his career: defending the accused.
Earlier in his career, Rocky defended homicide, sex crime, and child abuse cases in the Major Crimes Unit. He meets the qualifications of Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.112 to defend capital (death penalty) cases. He is also a former police academy instructor who taught officers criminal procedure and courtroom testimony, and our attorneys use that knowledge to cross-examine officers on what they were trained to do and what they actually did.
Trial attorney Jean-Luc Adrien, a former Division Chief at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, joined the firm in 2026. He is fluent in English, Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish, so many clients and families can speak with their attorney in their own language.
The forensic rigor and trial preparation we bring to homicide cases also protect a nurse’s license on a first-offense DUI and a college student’s future after a first arrest. Preparing every case for trial is how we handle every client, because prosecutors make better offers when they know the defense is ready to try the case.
Why Should You Call a Defense Attorney Before Charges Are Filed?
The best time to call a criminal defense attorney is before the State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file charges. After an arrest, a prosecutor reviews the police report and decides what, if anything, to file. During that window, our attorneys can put evidence, context, and legal problems with the case directly in front of the prosecutor. Many cases that would have become formal charges end with no charges filed at all.
This is called pre-file advocacy, and it works best when it starts early. Our firm also moves fast to save evidence that disappears with time. We send preservation letters for surveillance video, look for witnesses, capture social media posts before they are deleted, and in DUI cases arrange independent testing when it can help.
If you think police may be building a case, read our guide to the signs you are being investigated for a crime in Florida. If you have been arrested, or believe an arrest is coming, call (813) 727-7159 now. Early action by The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. can be the difference between a closed file and a criminal record.
What Results Has Early Action Produced for Our Clients?
Fast intervention changes outcomes. These are recent results for our clients in Tampa Bay:
| Outcome | Original Charge | How We Won |
|---|---|---|
| TERMINATED in 24 Hours | Domestic Violence Battery | Pre-file advocacy with affidavits; the State filed a Notice of Termination within 24 hours. |
| DISMISSED | Battery | Frame-by-frame video analysis proved the client was the victim; the State entered a nolle prosequi. |
| DROPPED in 3 Weeks | Fentanyl Trafficking | Challenged the legality of the vehicle search; the State dropped the case before filing charges. |
| NO CHARGES Filed | Firearm and Cocaine Possession | Immediate first appearance advocacy and early communication with the prosecutor. |
| NOT GUILTY | Sexual Molestation (divorce allegations) | Exposed fabricated allegations used for leverage in a divorce. |
| COMPLETE DISMISSAL | Cold-Case Sexual Battery | DNA analysis and expert consultation proved mistaken identity. |
Each case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. See more case results from The Brancato Law Firm.
What Do Our Attorneys Do in the First Days After an Arrest?
An arrest is not a conviction, and the first week often decides how the case ends. When you hire The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., our attorneys take these steps right away:
- Protect your right to remain silent. We stop interviews and route every question through your attorney, because even innocent people make statements that hurt them. See how false confessions happen.
- Challenge illegal stops and searches. We file motions to suppress evidence when police violate the Fourth Amendment, including traffic stops held too long and warrantless home entries.
- Fight for your release. We argue for the lowest bond and workable release conditions at first appearance and at a bond hearing. Hillsborough County does not offer pretrial services supervision as a release option, so we build the argument on your ties to the community, your history, and the facts.
- Preserve favorable evidence. We secure video, records, and witness statements before they are lost.
- Advocate before charges are filed. When possible, we engage the State Attorney’s Office before formal charges and present the reasons not to prosecute.
- Build the strategy from day one. We plan around your goals, whether that is dismissal, trial, diversion, or the best negotiated result.
If you or a family member has been arrested in Tampa Bay, call (813) 727-7159 at any hour.
What Happens After an Arrest in Tampa?
Most cases in Hillsborough County follow the same path, and an attorney makes a difference at every stage. For bond in particular, see our step-by-step Hillsborough County bond walkthrough.
| Stage | What Happens | Why Your Attorney Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest and Booking | Transport to Orient Road Jail or Falkenburg Road Jail for fingerprints and photographs. | Stop damaging statements and invoke your right to counsel. |
| First Appearance (within 24 hours) | A judge reviews probable cause and sets bond and release conditions, as Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.130 requires. | Argue for the lowest bond and challenge weak probable cause. |
| Filing Decision | The State Attorney’s Office decides whether to file formal charges. If you stay in jail, Rule 3.134 generally requires charges within 30 days or the court orders your release on your own recognizance. | Pre-file advocacy can keep charges from being filed. |
| Arraignment | A formal plea is entered and discovery begins. | Attack weak charges and start building the defense. |
Need to locate a family member? Our guide to the Hillsborough County jail inmate search explains how. Our article on the criminal court process in Hillsborough County walks through each hearing, and our guide on what to do after a missed court date covers one of the most common emergencies. Call (813) 727-7159 for a free case evaluation.
Which Criminal Charges Does The Brancato Law Firm Defend?
The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. defends serious felonies, major crimes, and first-time offenses throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties:
| Practice Area | Examples of Charges | Related Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide Defense | Murder, manslaughter, DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and capital cases. | Homicide charges in Florida |
| Sex Crimes Defense | Sexual battery, lewd or lascivious conduct, solicitation, and sex offender registration issues. | Common defenses to sex crime charges |
| Child Abuse Defense | Aggravated child abuse, child neglect, and cases tied to DCF investigations. | Case study: a birth defect mistaken for abuse |
| Drug Crimes Defense | Trafficking, possession, constructive possession, and prescription fraud. | Defending a fentanyl trafficking charge |
| DUI Defense | First-time DUI, felony DUI, breath test refusal, CDL violations, and professional license defense. | How to fight a DUI in Hillsborough County |
| Criminal Traffic Defense | Driving while license suspended, reckless driving, racing, and fleeing or eluding. | Driving while license suspended in Florida |
| Violent Crimes Defense | Battery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, robbery, and self-defense cases. | How to claim self-defense in Florida |
| Domestic Violence Defense | Domestic battery, stalking, injunction violations, and false accusations. | How to fight a domestic battery charge |
| Gun Crimes Defense | Felon in possession, carrying a concealed firearm, and 10-20-Life charges. | Florida’s 10-20-Life law explained |
| Internet Crimes Defense | Online solicitation of a minor, sting cases, and child sexual abuse material charges. | Solicitation of a child using a computer |
| White Collar Crime Defense | Fraud, scheme to defraud, identity theft, and employee theft. | Identity theft defense in Tampa |
| Criminal Mental Health | Competency to proceed, insanity, and mental health mitigation. | Competency to proceed in Florida |
| Forensic Science Defense | Challenges to DNA, fingerprint, cell phone location, and toxicology evidence, and cross-examination of the State’s experts. | How a DNA cold hit can be wrong |
Don’t see your charge? Our attorneys handle the full range of state criminal cases in Tampa Bay courts, including probation violations, theft and property crimes, and juvenile cases.
What If You Are Innocent?
Being innocent does not protect you from arrest or prosecution. Police and prosecutors build cases from the evidence they gather first, and that evidence is often incomplete or wrong.
An experienced defense attorney protects an innocent client by stopping interviews before a misstatement becomes evidence, preserving proof that clears you before it disappears, demanding suppression of illegally obtained evidence, and holding the State to its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Our article Do I need a lawyer if I am innocent? explains why.
The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. has cleared clients’ names in Hillsborough County courts, and our attorneys can fight to clear yours.
What If You Made a Mistake?
A mistake does not take away your constitutional rights. The State must still prove every element of the crime with lawfully obtained evidence. You still have the right to remain silent, the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to a fair trial and to confront your accusers, and protection from cruel or excessive punishment.
We do not judge our clients. When the evidence is strong, our attorneys look for the legal flaws in it and build the case for the best outcome through a mitigation report, a request for a downward departure sentence, or a negotiated resolution. Our guide on whether to accept a plea bargain explains how to weigh an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tampa Criminal Defense
Questions About Arrests and Charges
What should I do first if I’m arrested in Tampa?
Stay silent and ask for an attorney. Do not answer questions, explain your side, or try to talk your way out, because anything you say can be used against you. You can call The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. at any hour at (813) 727-7159, and our attorneys will step in to stop further questioning.
Will I have to go to trial?
Not necessarily. Many cases end in a dismissal, a diversion program, or a negotiated plea. Our attorneys at The Brancato Law Firm prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because that preparation creates leverage whether or not a jury is ever picked.
What if I can’t afford bond in Hillsborough County?
You can ask the court to lower the bond or to release you on your own recognizance or nonmonetary conditions. Hillsborough County does not offer pretrial services supervision as a release option, so The Brancato Law Firm builds the bond argument around your community ties, work history, and the facts of the case. Our Hillsborough County bond walkthrough explains each step.
Questions About Your Case Timeline
How long will my criminal case take in Hillsborough County?
It depends on the charge and the court. Misdemeanors often resolve within a few months, and serious felonies can take a year or longer depending on motions, discovery, and trial scheduling. During your free consultation, The Brancato Law Firm gives you a realistic timeline based on your charges and the court your case is in.
Can charges be dropped before they are filed?
Yes. The State Attorney’s Office reviews every arrest before deciding whether to file formal charges, and an attorney can present evidence, witness statements, and legal arguments during that window. The Brancato Law Firm’s pre-file advocacy has ended cases with no charges filed, but it requires acting quickly after an arrest.
What happens if I miss my court date in Tampa?
The judge can issue a warrant for your arrest, and missing court can lead to a separate failure-to-appear charge and a higher bond. Our attorneys at The Brancato Law Firm can ask the court to set aside the warrant and reset the hearing. Read what to do after a missed court date in Tampa.
Questions About Fees and Representation
Will Rocky Brancato personally handle my case?
Rocky Brancato stays involved in strategy and major decisions on serious cases. The Brancato Law Firm works as a team, and every attorney meets the standards Rocky developed over 25 years of practice and while mentoring hundreds of attorneys. During your free consultation, we explain exactly who will handle your case and how.
How much does a criminal defense attorney at your firm cost?
Fees depend on the charges, the complexity of the case, and the work required. The Brancato Law Firm gives you a clear, upfront flat-fee quote after your free consultation and can work with you on a payment structure when needed. Our guide to what a criminal defense attorney costs in Tampa breaks down the factors.
Is The Brancato Law Firm too expensive for my case?
Often it is not. Many people assume that 25+ years of experience, an AV Preeminent rating, and Super Lawyers recognition mean premium pricing, but The Brancato Law Firm’s fees reflect the work your case requires. You get the experience of an attorney who has tried more than 150 jury trials and served as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, with direct attorney access. If you are weighing your options, read public defender vs. private attorney in Tampa.
Questions About Choosing The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
Do you handle first-time offenses and misdemeanors?
Yes. A first offense or misdemeanor can still cost you a job, a professional license, or immigration status, and it can leave a permanent record. The Brancato Law Firm prepares these cases as thoroughly as serious felonies, because a first offense is often the best chance to protect your record. Call (813) 727-7159 for a free consultation.
Why should I hire The Brancato Law Firm?
You get trial-tested defense backed by system-level experience. Rocky Brancato served as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, overseeing a staff of over 100 attorneys, and has spent more than 25 years exclusively defending the accused. That knowledge of how cases are charged, negotiated, and tried in the 13th Judicial Circuit guides every case at The Brancato Law Firm. See our guide on how to choose a criminal defense attorney in Tampa.
Does your firm have an attorney who speaks Spanish or Haitian Creole?
Yes. Attorney Jean-Luc Adrien of The Brancato Law Firm is fluent in English, Haitian Creole, French, and Spanish, so clients and families can discuss the case directly with their attorney. Learn more in our guide for Haitian Creole and Spanish speakers.
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes. The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. is accepting new clients in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. Call (813) 727-7159 at any hour to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Which Courts Does The Brancato Law Firm Serve?
Our office at 620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205, in downtown Tampa is minutes from the Hillsborough County Courthouse, so our attorneys can move quickly in court and in emergencies. We defend clients throughout:
- Hillsborough County: Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Riverview, South Tampa, and Westchase
- Pasco County: New Port Richey, Dade City, and Wesley Chapel (West Pasco and East Pasco Judicial Centers)
- Pinellas County: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Largo
Guides From Our Attorneys
- How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Tampa?
- How to choose a criminal defense attorney in Tampa
- It’s the client’s call
- What to do after being arrested in Tampa
- Signs you are being investigated for a crime in Florida
- Public defender vs. private attorney in Tampa
- Free eBook: How to Choose a Major Crimes Attorney
- Brancato Law Firm criminal law FAQs
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Act Now.
When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, every day matters. The prosecution starts building its case at the arrest, and if charges have not been filed yet, early action may keep them from ever being filed.
Call The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., founded by Tampa criminal defense attorney Rocky Brancato, at (813) 727-7159 for a free, confidential consultation, or schedule a consultation online. You can call us at any hour.
The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 727-7159
Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties
The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. is a Tampa-based criminal defense practice. We are not affiliated with any other Brancato-named law firms.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is unique, and outcomes depend on the individual facts and circumstances involved. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Meet Rocky Brancato
For over 25 years, Rocky Brancato has been a prominent force in Tampa Bay’s legal arena. Rocky rose to second-in-command at Tampa Bay’s largest defense firm before launching Brancato Law Firm, P.A. As a former specialized major crimes attorney for serious offenses like...
Brancato Law Firm, P.A. Recent Blog Posts
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Author of How to Choose a Major Crimes Attorney — or Any Criminal Defense Attorney for That Matter
This Amazon-listed book helps you avoid costly mistakes when hiring a defense lawyer. As a visitor here, you can request a free eBook copy — valuable guidance, whether or not you hire us.
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Tampa Office
620 E Twiggs St Suite #205
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 727-7159
Located minutes from the Hillsborough County Courthouse.
Contact Us Now
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