Articles Posted in Homicide

If you are charged with a crime in Tampa Bay, you are already fighting for your future. Whether the accusation involves DUI, aggravated assault, or a serious felony like sexual battery, you cannot afford to take chances. You need the highest level of representation available. That is why hiring a death penalty qualified criminal defense…

A Former Public Defender Criminal Defense Lawyer in Tampa Choosing the right defense attorney can change the outcome of a major felony case. As a former public defender criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, I’ve seen firsthand how experience, leadership, and courtroom readiness determine success. My years as Chief Assistant Public Defender, second-in-command in an office…

When Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed a murder conviction in Rene De Santus v. State (No. 4D2023-2235, Oct. 15, 2025), it exposed a painful truth: even a serious homicide case can collapse when the defense lawyer isn’t prepared. The judges ruled that the attorney’s mistakes made the entire trial fundamentally unfair. The case…

Published by The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.Attorney Rocky Brancato | Tampa Criminal Defense Lawyer Understanding the Oquendo v. State Decision In Oquendo v. State, SC2023-0807 (Fla. October 9, 2025), the Florida Supreme Court clarified an important question for anyone claiming self-defense — especially military veterans or trauma survivors. The Court held that Florida’s self-defense law…

Stand Your Ground Immunity in Florida: Palm Beach Murder Case Dismissed The Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal recently granted Stand Your Ground immunity in Florida to a Palm Beach defendant charged with second-degree murder. In Spencer v. State (4D2025-0023), the court ruled that prosecutors failed to disprove self-defense by clear and convincing evidenceOpinion_2025-0023. This…

A Florida appeals court recently overturned a murder conviction because police ignored the suspect’s Miranda rights when he made a clear request for a lawyer. The First District Court of Appeal’s decision in Snowden v. State, No. 1D2023-1998 (Fla. 1st DCA July 2, 2025), highlights a core constitutional protection—your right to legal counsel. Tampa Bay Case Shows…

Being charged with first-degree murder in Tampa is as serious as it gets. Whether the allegation involves premeditated murder or felony murder, the penalties are extreme and the legal process is unforgiving. You need a specialized attorney that handles first degree murder cases in Tampa. At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., we understand how quickly…

Florida Passes SB 653 On June 13, 2025, Florida enacted SB 653, a law that adds a new aggravating factor for capital felony sentencing. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to certain crimes involving high-level government figures. What SB 653 Changes The new law creates an additional aggravating factor for capital…