Rocky Brancato
Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
We opened our doors in January 2005, bringing over 25 years of criminal legal experience to the forefront. I have been a notable presence in the Hillsborough County Courthouse, having climbed the ranks to become the second-in-command at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office. In January 2025, I established the Brancato Law Firm, P.A. My background includes handling severe cases such as homicides and sex crimes during my tenure in a major crimes unit.
Throughout my career, I have consistently managed a significant caseload, showing my dedication to my clients. My knowledge allows me to handle any criminal, criminal traffic, or DUI case effectively. I am recognized for my strategic employment of witnesses to clarify complex legal and factual issues for judges and juries, effectively balancing the scales against the government's resources.
I possess a thorough understanding of the mental health and specialty court systems, which I leverage to divert clients away from the criminal justice system. I have spent years on the 13th Judicial Circuit's Problem Solving Court's Committee. For more than two decades, I have trained and mentored hundreds of attorneys in the Tampa Bay area and have provided lectures statewide for Florida Bar credit. My peers have honored me with an AV Preeminent rating in criminal law and criminal defense by Martindale-Hubbell, signifying the highest standard of professional excellence.
I am admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. I am also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA), the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).
I have profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of clients. Allow me to make a difference in your life by putting me in your corner today.
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- Juvenile Law
- White Collar Crime
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
- FaceTime
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
-
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Fees are typically flat fees. We also offer financing through LawPay's Pay Later service.
- Florida
- The Florida Bar
- ID Number: 191213
-
- U.S. Supreme Court
-
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
-
- English
- Managing Partner
- Brancato Law Firm, P.A.
- - Current
- Chief Operations Officer (Second-in Command)
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As Chief Operations Officer, I oversaw all operations of the office, directly under the elected Public Defender. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Felony Bureau Chief
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As Felony Bureau Chief, I oversaw the operations of the felony bureau. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Misdemeanor, Juvenile & Intake Bureau Chief
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As the Misdemeanor, Juvenile & Intake Bureau Chief, I oversaw and managed those bureaus. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Training Director
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As Training Director, I developed training programs for the entire office, including a National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) Training where attorneys learned to try mock cases in a safe environment. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Major Crimes Trial Attorney
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As a Major Crimes Trial Attorney, I tried the most serious cases in the office, including sex crimes, homicides, DUI manslaughter and death penalty cases. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Felony Division Chief
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As Felony Bureau Chief, I oversaw a team of attorneys in a felony division before one judge. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Felony Trial Attorney
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- -
- As a felony trial attorney, I tried felony cases up to Life felonies. The office is the largest criminal defense firm in the Tampa Bay Area, with over 200 employees and 100 attorneys.
- Assistant Public Defender
- Public Defender, 1st Judicial Circuit (Escambia County, FL)
- -
- As an Assistant Public Defender, I served as a trial attorney in the misdemeanor and felony bureaus, trying cases before juries.
- Certified Legal Intern
- Public Defender, 1st Judicial Circuit (Escambia County, FL)
- -
- University of North Dakota School of Law
- J.D. (1998) | Law
- -
-
- Utah State University
- B.S. (1994) | Political Science
- -
-
- Julianne M. Holt Torchbearer Award
- Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- AV Preeminent Rating
- Martindale-Hubbell
- The highest peer rating given to attorneys with exceptional professional excellence within their ethical standards, legal expertise, and communication skills.
- Honor, Optimism, Leadership and Teamwork Award
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- Major Crimes Bureau Professional Attorney of the Year
- Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office
- Felony Bureau Litigator of the Year
- Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
- Life Member
- - Current
-
- Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL)
- Board of Directors
- - Current
-
- The Florida Bar # 191213
- Member
- - Current
-
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL)
- Member
- - Current
-
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL)
- Member
- - Current
-
