Welcome to The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. blog, where our expert insights, updates, and strategies on criminal law help you understand your rights and defense options in Tampa Bay and beyond.
KEY TAKEAWAY The best sex crimes attorney in Tampa will have verifiable NOT GUILTY verdicts in sex crime cases, third-party credentials that no attorney can purchase (AV Preeminent, Super Lawyers), and specialized Major Crimes experience. Generic criminal defense experience is not enough—sex crime cases demand forensic expertise, child witness cross-examination skills, and a proven trial…
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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…
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How to Cut Through the Marketing Noise and Find a Lawyer Who Actually Fights for You Updated January 18, 2026 Key Takeaway A truly elite criminal defense is built on courtroom performance, not promotional spending. Many top search results come from firms paying thousands per click in advertising — a massive budget that forces high-volume…
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Can You Be Convicted on Your Word Alone? Understanding Florida Statute 92.565 and How to Fight Back Updated January 18, 2026 Key Takeaway In most criminal cases, a confession alone cannot convict you — the prosecution must first provide independent evidence that a crime occurred (corpus delicti). However, Florida Statute 92.565 creates a dangerous exception…
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New Tampa Boating Law: How Lucy’s Law Changes the Rules for Pinellas and Hillsborough Boaters in 2025 Starting July 1, 2025, a sweeping new Florida boating law, known as “Lucy’s Law,” will permanently alter the landscape for boaters across Tampa Bay. Passed in May 2025 in response to a tragic boating death, this law introduces…
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The AI ChatGPT Insanity Defense: Is It the Future of Criminal Law? At The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., we have seen countless cases where mental illness, not malice, was the driving force behind a person’s actions. These are often the most tragic situations we handle. Now, a new and powerful factor is emerging that could…
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Key Takeaway: Florida Statute 90.803(23) allows prosecutors to introduce child hearsay statements even when the child doesn’t testify–however, they can only do so if the court finds the statement reliable. Because of this requirement, defense attorneys can challenge reliability at a pretrial hearing. Consequently, successful challenges often lead to excluded evidence and dismissed charges. In…
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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…
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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…
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What Florida Law Actually Says Florida’s permitless carry law, effective July 1, 2023, has created confusion for many residents regarding where they can and cannot legally bring a firearm. For Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans heading to Raymond James Stadium, this confusion can unfortunately lead to significant legal trouble. The crucial reality is this: even if…
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