Criminal Defense for Law Enforcement Officers in Tampa Bay

For law enforcement officers, few moments are more devastating than being on the other side of the law. Whether you are with the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Plant City Police Department, Temple Terrace Police Department, USF Police Department, TIA Police Department, Hillsborough County School Resource Officer, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, St. Petersburg Police Department, Clearwater Police Department, or the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest or criminal investigation brings risks that reach far beyond the courtroom.

The Stakes Are Higher for Officers

For most defendants, the concern is avoiding fines, probation, or jail. For officers, the impact can be far harsher. Because of your “position of trust,” prosecutors may argue for tougher treatment than they would for a civilian. A conviction can also mean the permanent loss of your Second Amendment rights, leaving you unable to carry the very weapon that has defined your career.

There’s another layer: if you’ve put people behind bars, the loss of your badge and firearm can put you at risk personally and professionally, leaving you without your ability to protect yourself and your family. You face more than a legal fight—you face a fight for your reputation, your safety, and your future.

Strategic Reputation Management

In today’s media-driven world, an officer’s case rarely plays out quietly. Headlines, social media commentary, and public speculation can create lasting damage, even before the case is resolved. That is why part of a strong defense includes strategic reputation management—not just fighting in court but also limiting collateral damage in the public eye.

If You’ve Faced Rocky Brancato’s Cross-Examination Before

Many officers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties have already faced Rocky Brancato in court. His laser-precision cross-examinations are well-known for dismantling investigations and exposing weaknesses in testimony.

If you have ever been on that side of the stand, you know how difficult that pressure can be. On the witness stand, sweat forms on your brow as Rocky locks eyes with yours, his piercing gaze stripping away your confidence and leaving you feeling small and ineffective in your role as an officer. But when Rocky Brancato is in your corner, the equation flips. His loyalty becomes 100% to you, and those accusing you will face the same relentless defense you once experienced in the witness box, never wanting to have to face him again.

Trusted in the Most Serious Situations

Attorney Rocky Brancato is trusted to serve as an on-call attorney for officer-involved shootings with the Tampa Police Benevolent Association and the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association. That trust comes from more than 25 years of high-level criminal defense in Tampa Bay’s courts. These organizations chose Rocky to serve the law enforcement community because they know he provides the most strategic, loyal and high-level criminal defense available in the Tampa Bay area.

Before founding The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., Rocky Brancato served as the Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office—the largest criminal defense firm in the county. In that role, he collaborated extensively with law enforcement agencies across Hillsborough County, gaining a perspective that few defense attorneys possess. That experience now informs his defense of officers who find themselves under investigation.

Every law enforcement officer case at The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. is personally handled by Rocky Brancato. You will not be passed off to a junior lawyer or treated as just another file number.

Protecting Law Enforcement Officers’ Rights

Officers and correctional officers face unique risks that civilians do not. A defense strategy must protect your rights at every stage, including:

• Garrity protections during internal affairs questioning.
• Independent review of evidence, from body-worn cameras to reports and witness statements.
• Defense strategies tailored to certification risks and administrative hearings.
• Aggressive courtroom representation against prosecutors who may seek to make an example out of you.

The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. defends officers against charges such as DUI, domestic violence, sex crimes, drug crimes, violent crimes, and homicides. Each type of charge carries its own risks, but for law enforcement officers, the professional consequences often outweigh even the criminal penalties.

FAQ: Criminal Defense for Law Enforcement Officers

What rights do law enforcement officers have during an internal affairs investigation?
Officers questioned by internal affairs may be required to give a statement under Garrity protections. This means the statement cannot be used against them in a criminal case. However, what you say can still affect your employment and certification, so it is vital to have legal counsel before speaking.

Can prosecutors seek harsher penalties because I am an officer?
Yes. Prosecutors often argue that officers should be held to a higher standard because of their position of trust. This can result in harsher plea offers or sentencing recommendations. A skilled defense attorney can push back against that narrative and highlight the weaknesses in the State’s case.

What happens to my firearm rights if I am convicted?
Even a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction can cause the permanent loss of your Second Amendment rights. For an officer, that means losing the ability to carry a firearm and potentially ending your career in law enforcement.

How can a criminal case affect my FDLE certification?
FDLE reviews criminal cases and administrative findings. Even if your case does not result in a conviction, disciplinary findings from an internal investigation can threaten your law enforcement certification.

What about my reputation in the community?
Media coverage of an officer’s arrest can cause lasting damage. A comprehensive defense strategy does more than fight in the courtroom—it also considers strategic reputation management, working to limit unnecessary exposure that could harm your career and your future.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

Investigations move quickly, and hesitation can cost opportunities to protect your record, your rights, and your reputation.

If you are a law enforcement officer in Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County and are under investigation or facing charges, call The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. at (813) 727-7159 for a confidential consultation.

Your career, your reputation, and your freedom deserve a defense attorney trusted in the most serious cases—an attorney who will fight with the same precision in your defense that once challenged you in the courtroom.