Articles Posted in Sex Crimes

In a significant decision that underscores the importance of constitutional protections and strict adherence to statutory requirements, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal recently reversed the conviction of James T. Moschella for possession of child pornography. The case, Moschella v. State, No. 2D2023-0044 (Fla. 2d DCA Apr. 9, 2025), highlights critical issues related to…

Thinking About Moving to Florida After Being Removed from the Sex Offender Registry in Another State? Know the Risks Before You Pack If your name has been removed from the sex offender registry in your home state, you might be considering a fresh start—and Florida may sound like the ideal destination. But before you relocate,…

Child Pornography Charges in Florida: What You Need to Know About the Law, Investigations, and Defenses Facing a child pornography charge—more accurately called possession or distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)—is one of the most devastating situations someone can experience under Florida law. Florida Statute 827.071 outlines severe penalties. Just viewing CSAM, even briefly,…

Tampa Escorts & Prostitution Stings: Expert Legal Defense if You’re Arrested Searching for “Tampa escorts” online or chatting on apps like Grindr or Tinder can unexpectedly lead you into a police prostitution sting. If you found yourself in handcuffs after such an interaction, you are not alone. Law enforcement agencies across Tampa and Hillsborough County…

The distinction between being labeled a sexual offender versus a sexual predator in Florida is not just semantic—it can profoundly alter a person’s future. Unfortunately, these classifications are often misunderstood, and in some cases, individuals are wrongly designated as sexual predators, even when they do not meet the legal criteria. At The Brancato Law Firm,…

Being labeled a sexual offender in Florida comes with lifelong consequences. Under Florida Statute 943.0435, individuals convicted of certain sexual crimes are required to register with law enforcement, adhere to strict reporting requirements, and comply with ongoing restrictions on residency, employment, and travel. If you are facing a potential sexual offender designation in Tampa, Hillsborough,…

Facing a sex crime accusation in Florida can destroy your reputation, career, and personal life—especially if you’re designated as a sexual predator under Florida Statute 775.21 (The Florida Sexual Predators Act). This label brings lifelong consequences, including public registration, social isolation, and restrictions on where you can live or work. If you’re under investigation or…

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…

The Critical Role of the Forensic Interviewer in Child Abuse Cases When facing allegations of child abuse or sex abuse, understanding the role of forensic interviewers is crucial. These professionals work out of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Children’s Justice Center, including Tampa’s own Mary Lee’s House, and are specially trained to conduct…

Florida’s Rape Shield Law serves as a legal safeguard for victims in sex crime cases by limiting the use of their past sexual history in court. Codified in Section 794.022, Florida Statutes, this law ensures that prior consensual sexual activity between the alleged victim and anyone other than the accused is generally inadmissible in prosecutions…