Articles Posted in Confessions and 5th Amendment

Florida’s Confession Without Corpus Exception in Sex Crimes Cases: Can You Be Convicted on Your Word Alone? In most criminal cases, a confession by itself isn’t enough to convict you. The prosecution must first provide independent evidence that a crime was committed—a legal principle known as corpus delicti. However, Florida law has a critical and…

Florida Court Ruling Rocks Child Abuse Reporting – What Tampa Bay Residents Need to Know Navigating Faith, Confidentiality, and Florida Law in the Tampa Bay Area A recent Florida Third District Court of Appeal decision has sent ripples through religious and legal circles, especially here in the Tampa Bay area. The case, Castano v. State,…

When facing criminal charges in Tampa or Hillsborough County, the evidence against you can determine the outcome of your case. But what if that evidence was obtained unlawfully? A motion to suppress evidence is a critical legal tool that can prevent improperly obtained evidence from being used against you. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.,…

Is Your Tampa Talk Private? When facing serious allegations like child abuse, neglect, or abandonment in Tampa, Florida, many assume their private talks are safe. You might believe your privileged communication with doctors or therapists remains confidential. However, Florida law on child abuse holds a critical surprise: these privileges often don’t apply if a child’s…

False confessions play a significant role in wrongful convictions, accounting for approximately 25 – 30% of such cases. This alarming statistic underscores how vulnerable individuals can be during high-pressure interrogations. Law enforcement officers often employ psychological pressure and manipulation tactics that can lead innocent people to confess to crimes they did not commit. The dangers…