Tampa Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer

Your child just asked why police officers came to the house. A call from your employer confirms you’re suspended pending investigation. In the next room, your spouse is crying.

A sex crime accusation in Tampa doesn’t just threaten your freedom. It attacks every relationship, every job prospect, and every shred of dignity you’ve built over a lifetime. You need a Tampa sex crimes lawyer who understands the urgency of this moment. You need someone who has spent decades defending against these exact charges.

I’m Tampa Attorney Rocky Brancato. For over 25 years, I have dedicated my career exclusively to criminal defense in Florida. I served as the Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, mentoring hundreds of attorneys over the years. Before that, I worked in an elite Major Crimes defense unit handling homicide, sex crimes, and child abuse cases. I know exactly how prosecutors build these cases because I’ve spent my career tearing them apart.

Why Experience Matters When Facing Sex Crime Charges

Sex crime prosecutions in Hillsborough County follow predictable patterns, yet most attorneys never learn to recognize them. I have spent decades identifying the weaknesses that prosecutors hope you’ll never find.

My background gives me distinct advantages when defending Tampa clients:

• Inside Knowledge: I understand how the Tampa Police Department and HCSO build their files from the initial report to the arrest warrant.
• Forensic Strategy: I know how to expose flaws in DNA evidence and challenge the subjectivity of SANE exams.
• Interrogation Defense: I dissect police interrogation techniques used at the Orient Road Jail to find constitutional violations.
• Expert Network: I have established relationships with forensic experts, psychologists, and medical professionals throughout Tampa Bay.

Proven Results in Tampa Sex Crime Defense

Experience is vital, but results demonstrate its power. Here are documented outcomes from cases I’ve handled:

• NOT GUILTY: False molestation allegations exposed as coaching during a Hillsborough County divorce.
• DESIGNATION REMOVED: Sexual predator label eliminated after correcting a previous attorney’s critical error.
• CHARGES DISMISSED: Cold case rape charges dropped through extensive independent DNA analysis.
• NOT GUILTY: Sexual battery acquittal after successfully arguing consent to the jury.
• FELONY AVOIDED: Lewd conduct charge reduced to a non-sex offense after exposing flaws in the witness testimony.

Understanding Florida Sex Crime Consequences

Florida imposes some of the harshest penalties in the nation. Understanding the distinction between designations is critical for your future.

Comparison: Sexual Offender vs. Sexual Predator

Warning: Sex offender registration applies even when a judge “withholds adjudication.” Many defendants believe they avoided registration because they weren’t formally convicted, only to discover they are still on the registry for life. This mistake destroys lives.

How a Tampa Sex Crimes Lawyer Builds Your Defense

Exposing False Accusations

False accusations happen more often than most people realize. They often stem from divorce disputes, custody battles, revenge, or simple misunderstandings. Even unproven allegations can devastate your family.

I investigate the accuser’s background, motives, and prior statements. I search for inconsistencies that reveal fabrication. In one recent Tampa divorce case, we exposed coaching by the spouse, which resulted in a NOT GUILTY verdict.

Challenging Coerced Confessions

Research shows that false confessions contribute to approximately 30% of wrongful convictions nationwide. Intense interrogation tactics can lead innocent people to confess just to make it stop.

I meticulously review interrogation recordings. I examine the environment, the duration, and the tactics used. When I find constitutional violations—such as implied threats or ignored requests for counsel—I file motions to suppress these statements. This frequently leads to dismissals.

Scrutinizing SANE Exam Evidence

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) collect forensic evidence from alleged victims. While they are trained professionals, their findings carry limitations that prosecutors rarely mention to a jury.

Comparison: SANE Nurse vs. Medical Doctor

I work with forensic pathologists and gynecologists to provide objective analysis. These medical doctors often carry far more weight with Hillsborough County judges and juries than a SANE nurse.

Using Florida’s Rape Shield Exceptions

Florida Statute 794.022 generally prevents defense attorneys from introducing evidence of an alleged victim’s prior sexual history. However, critical exceptions exist that many attorneys overlook.

Florida courts have allowed prior sexual history evidence to:

• Explain the source of physical injuries (Audano v. State).
• Establish prior sexual knowledge (Dixon v. State).
• Demonstrate a motive to lie (Lewis v. State).
• Show a pattern of similar false allegations (Carlyle v. State).

Introducing this evidence requires a specific “in camera” hearing before the judge. I leverage these exceptions whenever legally permissible to ensure the full truth is heard.

Sex Crimes I Defend in Hillsborough County

We defend all Florida sex crimes, including:

Sexual Battery Defense (§ 794.011)

Commonly called rape, this charge carries potential life sentences. I assert consent defenses in adult cases, expose false allegations, and challenge the reliability of the state’s forensic evidence.

Lewd and Lascivious Offenses (§ 800.04)

These charges involve allegations of inappropriate behavior with minors. A conviction requires sex offender registration. I work to demonstrate a lack of sexual intent or expose false allegations arising from complex family dynamics.

Child Pornography Charges (§ 827.071)

Florida imposes mandatory minimum sentences for child pornography. Defenses often focus on whether the defendant actually knew about or controlled the material. I work with computer forensic experts to examine malware, automatic downloads, and unauthorized account access.

Human Trafficking Defense (§ 787.06)

Trafficking charges carry potential life imprisonment. Early intervention is critical. I work with the State Attorney’s Office to prevent formal charges when contacted immediately after an arrest.

Florida Sex Offender Registry Removal Options

Florida law provides limited opportunities to remove your name from the registry. The process demands precise legal work.

• Romeo and Juliet Law (§ 943.04354): If your registration stems from consensual activity between teenagers (victim 13-17, you were no more than 4 years older), you may qualify for removal.
• 25-Year Removal (§ 943.0435(11)): After 25 consecutive years without reoffending following supervision, certain individuals may petition for removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if police want to question me?

Do not speak with the police without an attorney present. Politely state, “I wish to speak with my lawyer,” and then remain silent. Call me immediately at (813) 727-7159. Everything you say can be used against you.

Can I get off the Florida sex offender registry?

Possibly. Florida’s Romeo and Juliet Law allows removal petitions for certain close-in-age cases. Additionally, the 25-year provision offers another path for eligible individuals. I help clients navigate these complex procedures.

How common are false sex crime accusations?

False accusations occur more frequently than most people believe. They often arise from divorce proceedings, custody battles, or revenge. My experience allows me to identify the fabrication and expose the truth.

Does withholding adjudication avoid registration?

No. This is a dangerous misconception. Even when a judge withholds adjudication, registration requirements still apply in Florida.

Your Future Depends on What You Do Next

Every hour you wait gives prosecutors more time to build their case. Witnesses’ memories fade. Evidence disappears. Options narrow.

I offer free, confidential consultations to people facing sex crime accusations in Tampa. I will evaluate your situation and explain your options honestly. No pressure. No judgment.

Call (813) 727-7159 Now for Your Free Defense Strategy Session.

The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.

620 E. Twiggs Street, Suite 205, Tampa, FL 33602