Atty. Rocky Brancato
Rocky Brancato is an AV Preeminent-rated Tampa criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of trial experience — the kind of lawyer who treats every case like it's going to trial and knows how to fight the government's resources with strategy, preparation, and the right experts. Before launching his private practice, Rocky served as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, where he led and mentored a staff of over 100 attorneys.
Profile Summary
About Rocky Brancato at a glance
Rocky Brancato is a Managing Partner based in Tampa, Florida, practicing at Brancato Law Firm, P.A.. They have 26+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2000. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, criminal defense, white collar, dv defense, and sex crimes. Admitted to practice in Florida U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida U.S. Supreme Court (2000). Educated at University of North Dakota (J.D., 1998) and Utah State University (B.S. Political, 1994). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Tampa, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Rocky Brancato is an AV Preeminent-rated Tampa criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of trial experience — the kind of lawyer who treats every case like it's going to trial and knows how to fight the government's resources with strategy, preparation, and the right experts
- Before launching his private practice, Rocky served as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, where he led and mentored a staff of over 100 attorneys
- He handled cases at every level — from first-time misdemeanors to death penalty trials — and spent years in a specialized Major Crimes Unit focused on homicides, sex crimes, and child abuse cases
- Rocky is death-qualified to defend capital cases and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
- His ability to handle the full spectrum of criminal charges — DUI, domestic violence, drug trafficking, violent crimes, sex offenses, and murder — comes from decades of exposure to the most serious cases in the system
- As a former police academy instructor, Rocky trained law enforcement officers on criminal procedure and courtroom testimony
- He knows exactly how officers are taught to build cases and present themselves on the stand — and he uses that knowledge to challenge their testimony effectively
- Rocky is known for his strategic use of expert witnesses to educate judges and juries, and for his deep familiarity with mental health courts and diversion programs
- When the traditional system isn't the right path, he knows how to find alternatives that protect his clients' futures
- For over two decades, he has trained and mentored hundreds of criminal defense attorneys throughout Tampa Bay and lectured statewide for Florida Bar credit
- In addition to his AV Preeminent rating, Rocky has been selected to Super Lawyers
- He is the author of How to Choose a Major Crimes Attorney — or Any Criminal Defense Attorney for That Matter, available on Amazon or as a free download at brancatolawfirm.com
- Rocky is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), the Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA), and the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL)
- The Brancato Law Firm serves clients facing criminal charges throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties
Practice Areas Explained
Rocky Brancato's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Rocky Brancato handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
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Rocky Brancato is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Florida →
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Rocky Brancato is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Florida →
Rocky Brancato is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Florida →
Rocky Brancato is one of 12,315 dv defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dv defense attorneys in Florida →
Rocky Brancato is one of 5,340 sex crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse sex crimes attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Florida
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Tampa are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tampa or all attorneys in Florida.
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