Brancato Law Firm, P.A. Recent Blog Posts

When people hear the term “drug trafficking,” they often imagine large-scale international smuggling—bricks of cocaine hidden on a plane or massive shipments arriving by boat. However, in Florida, trafficking charges do not necessarily require transportation or distribution. Simply possessing a specific amount of a controlled substance can lead to a trafficking charge, even if there’s…

Bail is your constitutional right—not a punishment. The right attorney can mean the difference between waiting for trial at home or behind bars. KEY TAKEAWAY Under the Florida Constitution and Florida Statute § 903.046, you are entitled to pretrial release on reasonable conditions unless charged with a capital offense. Courts must consider your financial resources…

Many people assume that because medical marijuana is legal in Florida, they cannot be charged with a DUI while driving after using it. However, Florida Statute, 316.193 makes it illegal to operate a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, a controlled substance, or a chemical substance that affects normal faculties. Medical Marijuana and DUI in Florida…

A complete, expert-driven medical records review is one of the most powerful tools in defending child abuse charges—and it’s often the difference between conviction and dismissal ⚠ THE STAKES IN AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE CASES Aggravated child abuse is a first-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Even if acquitted, the…

Being labeled a sexual offender in Florida comes with lifelong consequences. Under Florida Statute 943.0435, individuals convicted of certain sexual crimes must register with law enforcement, follow strict reporting requirements, and comply with major restrictions on residency, employment, and travel. An experienced Tampa Sex Crimes Attorney may be able to help you by avoiding sexual…

Facing a sex crime accusation in Florida can destroy your reputation, career, and personal life—especially if you are designated as a sexual predator under Florida Statute 775.21 (The Florida Sexual Predators Act). This designation brings some of the harshest consequences in Florida law, including lifelong public registration, community notification, residency and employment restrictions, and constant…

What Tampa Patients Need to Know About Paraphernalia and Transport Rules Key Takeaway for Tampa Patients In Williams v. State (October 2025), the Second District Court of Appeal ruled that the odor of cannabis alone is no longer enough to establish probable cause for a vehicle search in Tampa and Hillsborough County. As Florida continues…

Florida’s self-defense laws offer some of the strongest protections in the country. Yet how those protections apply in real cases varies widely based on the facts and how the evidence is interpreted by police, prosecutors, and judges. For defendants in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and across the Tampa Bay region, understanding these laws is essential—especially when…

Florida law creates critical exceptions to confidentiality when a child’s welfare is at stake—therefore, understanding these rules is essential to your defense ⚠ CRITICAL: MOST PRIVILEGES DO NOT APPLY IN CHILD ABUSE CASES If you believe your conversations with doctors, therapists, or even your spouse remain protected from disclosure in a child abuse investigation—you may…

When Medical Testimony Doesn’t Follow the Scientific Method The Problem Many Child Protection Team doctors rely on assumptions and untested theories rather than scientifically verified conclusions. These opinions have been passed down as accepted knowledge—without the rigor of controlled, repeatable scientific testing. In child abuse cases, medical testimony carries tremendous weight. However, it does not…