Brancato Law Firm, P.A. Recent Blog Posts

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…

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…

New Florida Law Creates Crime of Dangerous Excessive Speeding Effective July 1, 2025, a new Florida law—§ 316.1922, Florida Statutes—creates the criminal offense of dangerous excessive speeding. This change reflects a legislative effort to crack down on drivers who engage in extreme and unsafe speeding behavior. What Changed? The law introduces a new criminal offense for…

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…

Navigating Florida Sex Offender Probation: A Guide to Protecting Your Future A sex offense allegation in Florida leads to more than the threat of prison. It begins a lifelong battle with the severe and invasive terms of Florida sex offender probation. These conditions, governed by statute, can permanently alter your freedom, destroy your career, and…

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,…

A conviction for sexual battery in Florida carries life-altering consequences. In fact, one of the most severe is a law that can prevent early release from prison: the Junny Rios-Martinez, Jr. Act. If you or a loved one is facing a sex crime allegation in the Tampa Bay area, understanding this law is the first…

By The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. | June 2025 Why the Jimmy Ryce Act Is Florida’s “Hidden Sentence” Finishing your prison sentence should mean you get your life back. But under Florida’s Jimmy Ryce Act, the State can petition to keep you locked away long after your release date. It’s called “civil commitment,” but for…

Not All Defense is Equal: A Guide to Comparing Top Sex Crimes Attorneys in Tampa When you are facing a sex crimes accusation in Tampa, choosing the right attorney is the single most important decision you will make. Consequently, your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line. But with so many lawyers claiming to…

Florida’s Criminal Statute of Limitations: A Tampa Defense Lawyer Explains For anyone under investigation or fearing potential criminal charges in Tampa Bay, one question looms largest: How long does the State have to act? Our Tampa statute of limitations lawyer explains below. In Florida, the statute of limitations (§775.15, Fla. Stat.) governs this deadline, establishing the…