Florida Sex Crime Conviction Reversed for Failure to Sever

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Florida Sex Crime Conviction Reversed for Failure to Sever Charges

Brancato Law Firm, P.A.

August 14, 2025

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Florida Sex Crime Conviction Reversed for Failure to Sever

A Florida sex crime conviction reversed by the Fifth District Court of Appeal shows how trial strategy can decide the outcome. In Sandoval v. State (June 27, 2025), the court ruled that a defense attorney’s failure to move to sever unrelated charges could entitle the defendant to relief.

What Happened in Sandoval?

Octaviano Sandoval faced 64 sex-related charges. While all stemmed from a single search warrant, the counts involved different victims, timeframes, and evidence. His lawyer did not request to sever the first five charges from the other 60. That failure, according to the appellate court, likely prejudiced the jury and led to an unfair trial.

Why Severance Matters in Florida Sex Crimes Cases

In Florida, prosecutors may only join charges that arise from the same or related acts. When unrelated allegations are lumped together, jurors may be overwhelmed by inflammatory evidence. That is why motions to sever, as seen in Roark and Burnett, are so critical. Sandoval’s reversal reinforces that point: a Florida sex crime conviction reversed can often trace back to trial errors.

How The Brancato Law Firm Protects Clients

At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., Rocky Brancato uses more than 25 years of courtroom experience to:

Challenge improper consolidation of charges,
File motions to sever under Florida law, and
Protect clients’ rights at both trial and postconviction stages.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If you are facing multiple sex crime allegations in Tampa, Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco, trial strategy could mean the difference between conviction and acquittal. Call the Brancato Law firm, P.A. at (813) 727-7159 to schedule a consultation and let Rocky Brancato personally review your case.

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