Brancato Law Firm, P.A. Recent Blog Posts

In the aftermath of the now-infamous boating incident involving Captain Brock Horner, one legal question continues to surface: Can the four passengers on Horner’s boat face criminal charges for not stepping in to stop the alleged assault and burglary? It’s a fair question. The video evidence has ignited widespread debate, especially given the disturbing nature…

What the Captain Horner Viral Video May Reveal About Florida Criminal Law  If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve likely seen the viral video involving Captain Brock Horner. In it, Horner climbs aboard a young man’s boat and issues threats of violence, despite the young man’s efforts to de-escalate. The video has drawn widespread…

The prosecutor just told you they are moving forward with charges. A court date is set, and you are likely imagining the worst: a trial, a conviction, and a derailed life. But what if your case never makes it to trial? What if a judge throws out the charges before any jury hears the evidence?…

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,…

By The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. | Updated 2025 If you are facing criminal charges in Tampa or Hillsborough County, you likely feel like your case is dragging on forever. Months—or even years—can pass before you get your day in court. Even though Florida’s speedy trial rule has been gutted, you still enjoy a constitutional…

Why Suppressing Evidence Can Change Your Case When facing criminal charges in Tampa, Hillsborough County, or the surrounding areas, the evidence against you often determines whether the prosecution can move forward. But if the police obtained that evidence illegally, it may be excluded from court. This is where a Tampa attorney for motions to suppress…

The Florida Supreme Court has made significant changes to the state’s Speedy Trial Rule (Rule 3.191), impacting defendants facing criminal charges. These revisions, effective July 1, 2025, could affect how quickly a case moves through the court system and the remedies available if the state fails to prosecute within the required time limits. If you’re…

Contempt of court is far more than a simple warning from a judge. It is a legally binding consequence that courts use to protect their authority and maintain order. When someone ignores a court order or disrupts judicial proceedings, they risk serious penalties. Understanding how contempt works—and how Florida courts apply it—can make a significant…

You answer the phone, and the news is devastating. A loved one has been arrested for a Violation of Probation (VOP) and is sitting in the Orient Road or Falkenburg Road Jail. Unlike a new arrest, they haven’t been released. They are likely being held with “No Bond.” Families often panic because the rules for…

Facing a probation violation can be overwhelming, but you are not without options. Florida law provides several defenses to fight probation revocation, and understanding these legal strategies can make a critical difference in your case. This post will discuss defenses to violation of probation. Click the link to learn more about the violation of probation…