Rocky Brancato

Rocky Brancato is one of Tampa Bay's most experienced and trial-tested criminal defense attorneys. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, he has defended clients facing the full spectrum of criminal charges — from DUI, drug possession, and domestic violence to sex crimes, child abuse, and first-degree murder. He is AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, selected to Super Lawyers, and death-qualified to handle Florida capital cases. Rocky served as Chief Operations Officer of the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, one of the largest criminal defense agencies in Florida. He led and mentored a staff of over 100 attorneys while continuing to personally try homicide and sex crime cases. His years in a specialized Major Crimes Unit — dedicated exclusively to homicide, sex offenses, and aggravated child abuse — gave him a level of case-specific experience that few defense attorneys in private practice can match. That background shapes how The Brancato Law Firm approaches every case. Rocky is known for identifying the legal and factual weaknesses in the government's case before the State even recognizes them. He works alongside medical, forensic, and digital experts to challenge the prosecution's evidence at every stage — whether that means dismantling forensic conclusions, exposing flawed police procedures, or presenting alternative theories to a jury. As a former police academy instructor, Rocky trained law enforcement officers on criminal procedure and courtroom testimony. He doesn't have to guess how officers are taught to investigate and testify — he taught the courses. That insider perspective drives his approach to cross-examination, Fourth Amendment challenges, and motions to suppress. Rocky is a member of the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and brings specialized training to breath test challenges, field sobriety defense, and CDL-related cases. He also has deep experience with Florida's mental health courts and diversion programs, having served on the 13th Judicial Circuit's Problem-Solving Court Committee to expand treatment-based alternatives to incarceration. A respected voice in the criminal defense community, Rocky has trained and mentored hundreds of attorneys across Tampa Bay and lectured statewide at Florida Bar continuing legal education seminars on topics including sex offense defense, treatment court innovation, and the intersection of the opioid crisis and the justice system. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and all Florida state courts. He is an active member of: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL) 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. If you are under investigation or facing criminal charges in Hillsborough, Pinellas, or Pasco County, the attorney you choose will define how your case is fought. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Rocky Brancato included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Torchbearer Award, presented by the Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2024 - Present AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2015 - 2025 Honor, Optimism, Leadership and Teamwork Award, presented by the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, 2012 - Present Professional Attorney of the Year, Major Crimes Bureau, presented by the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, 2008 - Present Litigator of the Year, Felony Bureau, presented by the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, 2005 - Present Other Sources of Feedback About Rocky Brancato Included on the 2026Florida Super Lawyers list

• Managing Shareholder, since January 1, 2025

• Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, Chief Operations Officer (Second-in-Command), Felony Bureau Chief, Training Director, Major Crimes Trial Attorney, Felony Division Chief, 2003 - 2025
• Public Defender, 1st Judicial Circuit (Escambia County), Assistant Public Defender, 1999 - 2003
• George Stone Police Academy, Legal Instructors, 2002 - 2003

• Juvenile Justice Guest Lecturer, University of South Florida, Criminology Class, 2023 - 2024
• Public Records, Building a Better Defense, FPDA, 2023
• Treatment of Opioid Addition through Problem Solving Courts, Hillsborough County Opioid Summit, 2023 - Present
• Police Interrogation of Children on School Campus, Hillsborough County Public School District, 2020 - Present
• Implicit Bias Panel, 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida, 2018 - Present
• Gathering Evidence: Searches and Seizures, Confessions and Errors in the System, The Mechanics of Criminal Procedures, National Business Institute, 2013 - Present

• Florida, 2000
• Supreme Court of the United States of America
• United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, 2019 - Present (Life Member)
• DUI Counterattack, 2014 - Present (Board of Directors)
• Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HACDL), 2010 - Present (Board of Directors)
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), 2000 - Present (Member)
• Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), 2000 - Present (Member)
• Circuit 13 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, 2022 - 2024 (Board Chair)
• Problem Solving Courts Oversight Committee, 13th Judicial Circuit, 2012 - 2023 (Member)
• Pace Center for Girls, Hillsborough, 2015 - 2021 (Vice Chair)
• Hillsborough County Bar Association (HCBA) (Member)
• Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (HCACDL) (Member)
• Fraternities and Sororities
• Sigma Chi