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Tampa Violent Crimes Attorney

Picture of side of police car in the sun with the text "Facing Violent Crime Charges? Protect Your Rights and Freedom"

Defending Murder, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Battery, and 10-20-Life Cases

The detective says they have you on video. The alleged victim is in the hospital. And the prosecutor is already talking about mandatory minimums. In Florida, violent crime charges carry some of the most severe penalties in the criminal justice system—including life imprisonment for armed robbery and mandatory 10, 20, or 25-to-life sentences when a firearm is involved.

I’m Tampa Attorney Rocky Brancato. For over 25 years, I have defended clients facing Florida’s most serious violent crime charges—murder, armed robbery, aggravated battery, kidnapping, and offenses subject to the 10-20-Life law. As former Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, I led the largest criminal defense operation in Tampa Bay. I am death-qualified to handle capital cases. I personally oversee every aspect of your violent crimes case.

If you are charged with a violent crime, my firm, The Brancato Law Firm, P.A., can help change the narrative.

Florida’s 10-20-Life Law: Mandatory Minimum Sentences

Under Florida Statute 775.087, mandatory minimum sentences apply when a firearm is involved in certain felonies. Unfortunately, these sentences are non-negotiable—judges cannot go below them regardless of circumstances:

Firearm Involvement	Mandatory Minimum Sentence
Possess or display firearm during felony	10 years prison (mandatory)
Discharge firearm during felony	20 years prison (mandatory)
Discharge firearm causing injury or death	25 years to LIFE (mandatory)

I work closely with firearm experts to challenge the applicability of this law—examining ballistics evidence, testing firearm operability, and dissecting the prosecution’s firearm-related arguments. The mandatory minimum may not apply If the State cannot prove the firearm was operable or that it was actually displayed during the offense.

Representative Results in Tampa Violent Crime Cases

Outcome	Original Charge	How We Won
NOT GUILTY	Second-Degree Murder (roommate shooting)	Self-defense established through forensic analysis and strategic cross-examination
NOT GUILTY	Armed Robbery with Firearm + Attempted Armed Robbery	Mistaken identity defense in high-profile case
NOT GUILTY	Kidnapping and Robbery (Plant City)	Exposed critical weaknesses in prosecution’s evidence
Reduced to Misdemeanor	Felony Gun Charges	Client avoided years in prison through strategic negotiation
DISMISSED	Aggravated Child Abuse	Medical expert proved injury caused by congenital cyst, not abuse

Disclaimer: Each case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Violent Crime Charges We Defend in Tampa

Charge	Florida Statute	Common Defenses
Murder / Manslaughter	§782.04, §782.07	Self-defense, defense of others, lack of intent, factual innocence
Armed Robbery	§812.13	No weapon involved, mistaken identity, alibi
Aggravated Battery	§784.045	Mutual combat, self-defense, mistaken identity
Aggravated Assault	§784.021	No weapon present, lack of intent, self-defense
Kidnapping	§787.01	Lack of criminal intent, consent, mistaken identity
Domestic Violence Battery	§784.03, §741.28	Self-defense, disputed injury, false accusation
Burglary with Assault/Battery	§810.02	No intent to commit crime upon entry, consent to enter
Child Abuse / Agg. Child Abuse	§827.03	Medical condition, lack of intent, false report
Sexual Battery	§794.011	Consent, false accusation, insufficient evidence
Human Trafficking	§787.06	Lack of knowledge, coercion, insufficient evidence

Expert Witnesses and Forensic Investigation

Building a strong violent crime defense requires specialists. I work with a network of trusted experts:

Firearm Experts: Ballistics analysis, firearm operability testing, challenging 10-20-Life applicability
Forensic Scientists: DNA interpretation, fingerprint analysis, blood spatter patterns
Medical Experts: Injury analysis, challenging prosecution’s injury claims, identifying medical conditions
Private Investigators: Witness interviews, crime scene investigation, evidence preservation

Sentencing Enhancements and Collateral Consequences

Beyond the primary penalties, Florida’s violent crime laws include sentencing enhancements that can significantly increase prison time:

Gang enhancements (criminal gang activity)
Repeat violent offender status (prior violent felony convictions)
Prison releasee reoffender (PRR) laws (committing qualifying felony within 3 years of release)

Violent crime convictions also carry permanent collateral consequences: loss of firearm rights, inability to hold professional licenses, immigration consequences, and significant employment barriers. I defend against both the immediate charges and these lasting penalties.

Early Intervention and Warrant Resolution

If you’re under investigation for a violent crime or aware of an active warrant, early legal intervention can significantly impact the outcome. I can assist with:

Requests to withdraw warrants before arrest
Coordinated voluntary surrenders with favorable bond conditions
Proactive defense strategy development before charges are filed
Communication with prosecutors to present mitigating information early

Frequently Asked Questions About Violent Crime Charges

What should I do if I’m arrested for a violent crime in Tampa?

You must remain silent. Never speak to police without an attorney present. Therefore, contact a Tampa violent crimes attorney immediately. Police will use anything you say against you.

Can violent crime charges be dropped or reduced?

Yes, strategic defense achieves this. We reduce or dismiss charges based on weak evidence. Furthermore, constitutional violations or self-defense claims help. Even with mandatory minimums, we challenge the firearm element.

What if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges?

In Florida, the prosecutor alone decides to drop charges. The alleged victim does not make this decision. Nevertheless, the victim’s cooperation significantly influences the prosecutor’s decision. This also impacts the case’s overall direction.

What are the penalties for violent crimes in Florida?

Penalties vary widely. Aggravated assault carries up to five years. In contrast, armed robbery can result in life imprisonment. When a firearm is involved, mandatory minimums apply. These sentences range from 10 years to life.

How soon should I hire a lawyer after being accused?

Hire a lawyer immediately. Early involvement allows your attorney to shape the case from the outset. This impacts pretrial release and preserves evidence. Therefore, we develop a defense strategy before the prosecution builds its case. defense, charges can be reduced or dismissed based on weak evidence, constitutional violations, self-defense claims, or successful negotiation. Even cases with mandatory minimums can sometimes be resolved by challenging the firearm element or underlying facts.

Violent Crime Defense Throughout Tampa Bay

I represent clients facing violent crime charges throughout the Tampa Bay region:

Hillsborough County: Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Riverview
Pinellas County: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo
Pasco County: New Port Richey, Dade City

Your Freedom Is at Stake—Act Now

Violent crime charges carry the most severe penalties in Florida’s criminal justice system. With mandatory minimums, sentencing enhancements, and life-altering collateral consequences, you cannot afford to wait or hire an inexperienced attorney.

I offer confidential consultations where I’ll evaluate your case, explain your options, and outline a strategy for protecting your freedom. The sooner you act, the stronger your defense becomes.

Call (813) 727-7159 Immediately

The Brancato Law Firm, P.A.

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

Death-Qualified Criminal Defense | 25+ Years Experience

What Our Clients Are Saying

Rocky Brancato was able to provide me with legal help that I didn't even imagine was possible. Because of his experience and knowledge he got me life changing results and that is no exaggeration. Rocky has an in depth knowledge of his field, decades of experience, and...

E. M.

Mr. Brancato deserves five stars from day one. He went over and beyond for me. He doesnt just handle small cases I was facing a trafficking fentanyl charge for something that I didnt do and Mr. Brancato got all of my charges dropped. He is a great attorney. He answered...

Andrea M

Rocky was exceptional at providing legal advice and was taking proactive steps throughout the process to assist in my legal matters. Fantastic service and results.

Javier L.

ROCKY IS GREAT HE DID IT TWICE FOR MY FIANCÉ

Mantha W.

I would recommend Mr. Brancato to absolutely anybody. I have been fighting this specific case for about 4 years now and he was able to set time aside to accommodate and was able to get the charges dismissed in less than a WEEK. I can’t thank him enough, and anybody in...

Kellz C.

The rare lawyer with a heart Mr. Brancato not only proved his legal acumen, but he did so with genuine empathy and caring. I felt he was personally invested in my success, and acted above and beyond my expectations. He kept me informed all steps of the process, and was...

Mark my words, THIS IS THE BEST LAWYER I’ve ever had the chance to meet and it’s been a pleasure and a major blessing to have him, i had a very difficult case but in less then 5 business day he took the weight of a planet off my shoulders . He goes above and beyond and...

Yian V.

Great attorney ! Handled client with care and answered all concerns! Thank you so much !!! A Hard worker is this guy! Thank You for all you did for my fiancé!

Kailyn B.