When Florida law justifies non-deadly and deadly force, no duty to retreat, the home and vehicle presumption, the aggressor rule, Oquendo (2025), Cordell (2026), and the new resisting-officer law.
Continue reading ›From First DUI to Death Penalty
Welcome to The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. blog, where our expert insights, updates, and strategies on criminal law help you understand your rights and defense options in Tampa Bay and beyond.
When Florida law justifies non-deadly and deadly force, no duty to retreat, the home and vehicle presumption, the aggressor rule, Oquendo (2025), Cordell (2026), and the new resisting-officer law.
Continue reading ›How Florida classifies crimes, the maximum prison term and fine for each degree, first-degree felonies and withholds, the 44-point scoresheet rule, enhancements, and Hillsborough caseload data.
Continue reading ›Who decides whether charges are dropped, the difference between no information, nolle prosequi, and dismissal, the new Rule 3.190(d)(2), Hillsborough diversion programs, and Florida dismissal data.
Continue reading ›Florida Rule 3.191 after the July 1, 2025 rewrite: time limits from formal charge, the notice of expiration, the 30-day recapture, continuances, Barker v. Wingo, and Hillsborough court data.
Continue reading ›Your right to pretrial release in Florida, Hillsborough’s 2026 bond schedule, the factors judges weigh, the new Rule 3.131 reconsideration, detention hearings, Arthur hearings, and Missy’s Law.
Continue reading ›Every Florida DUI penalty tier as it reads in 2026, what Trenton’s Law changed, felony DUI and DUI manslaughter, Hillsborough County data, and how our attorneys get DUIs reduced.
Continue reading ›The 10-day deadline after a Florida DUI arrest, your three choices, how formal review hearings are won, the first-DUI waiver, the Tampa hearing office, and conviction revocations.
Continue reading ›Since October 1, 2025, refusing a breath or urine test is a crime in Florida even the first time. The five elements, Birchfield and blood tests, recent cases, and the 10-day license deadline.
Continue reading ›There is no set price for a homicide defense in Tampa. The fee depends on the charge, how much evidence there is to review, whether the case goes to trial, and whether the State seeks the death penalty. Among criminal defense firms in the Tampa Bay area, typical homicide fees start around $40,000 and can…
Continue reading ›Updated November 8, 2026 Short answer: Typical flat fees charged by criminal defense firms in the Tampa Bay area run $3,500 to $7,500 for a first DUI and $5,000 to $8,500 for a second DUI. Some firms charge a separate trial fee on top of that; The Brancato Law Firm charges one flat fee for…
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