Brancato Law Firm, P.A. Recent Blog Posts

Search Warrant Executed After 10-Day Deadline Invalidates Evidence Moschella v. State, No. 2D2023-0044 (Fla. 2d DCA Apr. 9, 2025) Case Summary Holding: Florida’s Second DCA reversed a child pornography conviction because law enforcement executed the search warrant after the 10-day statutory deadline under §933.05, Fla. Stat. Key Rule: A search warrant executed outside the 10-day…

Hemp Legalization Requires Chemical Testing to Prove Illegal Cannabis Campbell v. State, No. 2D2023-0651 (Fla. 2d DCA Mar. 26, 2025) Case Summary Holding: Florida’s Second DCA reversed a cannabis trafficking conviction because the State only tested 1 of 50 bundles—failing to prove the total quantity exceeded the legal hemp THC threshold. Key Rule: After hemp…

When a Fair Trial is Denied: Lessons from Surratt v. State and How We Protect Our Clients Facing serious criminal charges in Tampa, Florida can be one of the most terrifying experiences a person can endure. But when the system itself denies you a fair opportunity to defend yourself, the consequences are even more devastating.…

How to Use Florida’s Free e-Notify System Missing a court date in How to Use Florida’s Free e-Notify SystemFlorida—whether it’s for a misdemeanor, felony, or traffic offense—can have serious consequences. Judges may issue a bench warrant, revoke your bond, or view the missed appearance as a sign of disrespect or unreliability. In some cases, a…

What Is a Prison Releasee Reoffender? In Florida, a Prison Releasee Reoffender (PRR) is a person who commits or attempts to commit certain serious crimes within three years of being released from prison. PRR status can also apply if the new offense occurs while the person is serving a sentence or has escaped from custody.…

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,…

Understanding CSAM Laws, Investigations, and Defense Strategies Under §827.071 Facing a child pornography charge—now more accurately called possession or distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)—is among the most serious situations anyone can face under Florida law. A single image can result in years in prison, lifetime sex offender registration, and permanent damage to your…

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…

FDLE Warrant Search If you think there might be a warrant out for your arrest, don’t wait until it’s too late. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has a free online tool where you can search for outstanding warrants. You can check status here: FDLE Warrant Search If you’re in Hillsborough County, the Sheriff’s…

Can you legally record the police in Tampa? Yes—but a new Florida law that went into effect on January 1, 2025, now makes it easier to get arrested for doing so. If you film law enforcement or emergency responders and don’t follow the new rules, you could face criminal charges—even if you’re standing on public…