Articles Posted in Criminal Defense

When Private Citizens Conduct Online Stings | State Actor Defense Vigilante predator catchers have become a growing phenomenon across Florida. These private citizens pose as underage decoys online, arrange public meetups, and then ambush individuals on camera—often streaming the confrontation live on social media. While some claim to act in the public interest, many are…

The 10 Best Criminal Defense Strategies – From Tampa’s Leading Trial Attorney What are the top criminal defense strategies in Tampa? At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., we don’t just handle cases; we build powerful courtroom criminal defense strategies designed to shift the balance of power in your favor in Tampa. Attorney Rocky Brancato brings…

Affordable Criminal Defense Lawyer Tampa: Experience You Can Trust Looking for an affordable criminal defense lawyer in Tampa? You need more than just a reasonable price. You need exceptional value. That means proven courtroom experience, a strong track record, and a legal team committed to protecting your future. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., that…

Starting July 1, 2025, aggravated animal cruelty in Florida carries enhanced sentences, a permanent criminal record, and mandatory registration on a public database ⚠ CRITICAL WARNING FOR DEFENDANTS Under Dexter’s Law, animal cruelty convictions under Florida Statute § 828.12 cannot be sealed or expunged—even with withheld adjudication. Furthermore, beginning January 1, 2026, all offenders will…

A covered front porch can qualify as part of a dwelling under Florida’s burglary statute—turning what seems like petty theft into a serious felony ⚠ WHY THIS CASE MATTERS FOR THEFT DEFENDANTS Under this ruling, taking a package from someone’s porch is not just petty theft—it can be charged as burglary of a dwelling or…

What to Do Right Now to Protect Your Future If you are reading this, a simple online chat may have turned into a moment of pure panic. You might have just realized the person you were messaging on a dating app or social media is underage. Their profile looked different, they lied about their age,…

How Prior Allegations Can Threaten Your Defense — And How to Fight Back If you are facing a sex crime charge in Tampa Bay, you might believe the case should only focus on the current allegation. However, Florida prosecutors have a powerful tool that can change everything: the Williams Rule. Under this rule, prosecutors can…

A recent decision by Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal reversed a DUI conviction after the trial court improperly excluded a key defense witness. In Karls v. State, 2D2024-0325 (Fla. 2d DCA May 7, 2025), the appellate court made clear that defendants have a constitutional right to present witnesses in their defense—even if the testimony…

When Police Tactics Cross the Line | Entrapment Defense Protecting children is a priority we all share. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., I firmly support lawful efforts to stop child exploitation. However, Tampa Bay sex stings do not always catch predators seeking children. Detectives using deceptive tactics lure many people into illegal conversations. These…

Many people facing criminal charges in Tampa, Florida, believe that if they are guilty, hiring a criminal defense attorney or fighting the charges is pointless. This is a dangerous and costly misconception. Even if you believe you’ve made a mistake, securing strong criminal defense in Tampa is crucial. Our Founding Fathers understood a vital truth.…