Case Results – Brancato Law Firm, P.A.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a military veteran with no prior record who faced up to five years in prison on a felony aggravated assault charge. The State’s initial offer included no path to dismissal. Jean-Luc filed a Stand Your Ground Motion for Immunity and submitted the firm’s proprietary mitigation report, which we prepare for every client, along with medical mitigation. The State admitted the client into Pretrial Intervention. When he completes the program, the charge will be dismissed and he will avoid a felony conviction.

Rocky represented a man charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon—a butcher knife—after being accused of chasing his roommate around the house. Through an extensive and meticulous review of body camera footage, Rocky discovered a critical moment: the responding deputies debated on camera whether charges were even warranted, noting the alleged victim was “Signal 25″—law enforcement shorthand for mentally ill and delusional—and that Rocky’s client was more credible than the accuser. The inexperienced deputies ultimately arrested Rocky’s client only as a safety precaution, despite not believing the victim’s account.

Rocky then took the alleged victim’s deposition, where the victim confirmed the deputies’ instincts—expressing delusional beliefs that Rocky’s client was an “Anti-Christ” while describing himself as a “chosen one.” Rocky presented an extensive memorandum to the prosecutor, arguing that the deputies’ own debate over whether to charge, captured on their body cameras, was the very definition of reasonable doubt. The prosecutor agreed and dismissed all charges.

Rocky’s client was accused of burglary with battery, a first-degree felony punishable by life. Through meticulous review of body camera footage, Rocky discovered that the detective’s report was incorrect. Although his client was present in the home, she had actually intervened to break up the fight rather than participate in it. As a result, the charge was reduced to misdemeanor trespass, and she was sentenced to time served.

Rocky represented a client charged with Aggravated Assault, a third-degree felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Hired the day of the arrest, Rocky appeared at First Appearance Court and secured a low bond. Within 24 hours, Rocky contacted the alleged victim, who wanted the charges dismissed. Rocky prepared a handcrafted affidavit based on the alleged victim’s wishes, which the victim signed, notarized, and returned the next day. Rocky submitted the affidavit along with supporting background information to the intake prosecutor. Twenty-four days later, the State chose not to file charges and issued a Letter of Release.

Rocky represented a client charged with robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm—charges carrying the possibility of a life sentence. Through deposition work and a mitigation presentation, Rocky demonstrated that his client’s involvement was significantly less than the codefendant’s.

The charges were reduced to grand theft and misdemeanor battery. The court withheld adjudication and sentenced the client to 180 days in jail. The client avoided both a life sentence and a felony conviction.

Rocky represented a woman who was actually the victim of a battery—but found herself charged instead. The incident occurred at a beloved Tampa sporting venue, and because the other party was an employee, police sided with her and arrested Rocky’s client.

The client came to Rocky after a frustrating experience with another attorney. Rocky conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of all video footage and generated a detailed audio transcript. The analysis showed the employee was the aggressor and that the officer could not have seen what she claimed. Rocky also obtained the “victim’s” medical records, which confirmed she was not injured despite her allegations.

Rocky presented his findings to the prosecutor. The State entered a Nolle Prosse, dismissing the case entirely.

Rocky represented a woman accused of participating in a robbery and severely beating another woman. After Rocky’s investigation, the robbery was dismissed and the aggravated battery was reduced to a misdemeanor, resulting in a probationary sentence.

Rocky represented a man initially arrested for kidnapping a fellow gang member and participating in a severe beating—beating him out of the gang. Rocky strategically chose not to waive speedy trial while he investigated the case. The leverage gained by working within speedy trial resulted in a plea offer to misdemeanor battery and probation—avoiding serious felony convictions for kidnapping and aggravated battery.

A man who had moved to another state reached out to Rocky about a 3-year-old warrant for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer. Rocky obtained the file from the Public Defender and investigated the allegations. He worked out a resolution for a misdemeanor and credit for time already served. The man can now get on with his life without the felony warrant hanging over his head.

Rocky defended a client accused of second-degree murder following a fatal shooting involving his roommate. The case proceeded to trial. The defense was based on the justifiable use of deadly force. Through direct examination, Rocky demonstrated that the shooting was in self-defense. The Tampa jury heard the evidence and returned a Not Guilty verdict, fully acquitting his client.

In a highly sensitive case, Rocky defended a Tampa grandmother charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The charges related to the drowning death of her granddaughter. Prosecutors initially alleged a liver laceration was evidence of abuse.

Rocky’s defense involved retaining a forensic pathologist and conducting an extensive review of medical records. He deposed the state’s medical experts. Through rigorous analysis, Rocky and his expert demonstrated the cause of death was drowning—and the liver injury resulted from CPR efforts, not abuse. This compelling evidence led the prosecutor to drop the murder charge and reduce the aggravated child abuse charge. The client pleaded to the lesser charge of child neglect and received probation.

In a tragic case involving a fatal single-vehicle crash, Rocky defended a client accused of vehicular homicide in Tampa. The prosecution alleged reckless driving caused the accident. Rocky retained an accident reconstruction expert and focused the defense on potential issues with the vehicle’s braking system. Through these efforts, Rocky successfully negotiated a reduction of the charge to reckless driving with serious bodily injury. His client avoided prison and received a sentence of 48 months probation.

Rocky defended a client facing serious kidnapping and robbery charges in Plant City. At trial, Rocky presented a strong mistaken identity defense, challenging the prosecution’s evidence at every turn. The jury deliberated and returned a Not Guilty verdict on both charges, fully exonerating his client.

Rocky represented a client accused of robbing a man for expensive car rims at gunpoint. Before trial, Rocky conducted a thorough personal investigation—visiting the client’s home, the incident scene, and the evidence room to examine all evidence, including a specific reversible jacket.

This meticulous preparation allowed Rocky to cross-examine the detectives with superior knowledge of the details and also prepare his client to testify. He mounted a successful mistaken identity defense. The jury returned Not Guilty verdicts on both counts of Armed Robbery.

Rocky defended a client accused of armed robbery. At trial, he employed a mistaken identity defense, highlighting a crucial detail: the victim failed to mention the defendant’s distinctive arm tattoo when describing the suspect to police. This significant inconsistency created reasonable doubt, leading the jury to return a Not Guilty verdict.

Rocky represented a man accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery. At trial, through effective cross-examination and evidence challenges, the jury found his client Not Guilty of both serious counts.

Rocky was brought onto the defense team for his experience defending sex crimes and entrapment cases. The client was charged with commercial human trafficking after an undercover sting in which police officers played the role of a trafficker offering teenage girls. No real children were involved, but the State had the client on video agreeing to exchange money for sex with the girls the officers described.

Rocky filed a significant motion to dismiss arguing that the officers entrapped the client. He also prepared and presented the firm’s proprietary mitigation report, which we prepare for every client.

The charges were reduced to prostitution and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony. Neither is a sex offender registration offense. The client received a withheld adjudication and probation.

Rocky represented a man charged with lewd or lascivious molestation and other sexually related offenses. Based on the wishes of the alleged victim—who was 17 at the time of the offense—and the firm’s bond advocacy, the State issued a Letter of Release on all charges, declining to file.

Our client was charged with four counts of possession of child pornography — felonies that would have required him to register as a sex offender for life. He contacted the firm after law enforcement had visited his home but before any arrest, giving Rocky the window he needed to get ahead of the case.

Rocky moved immediately on mitigation. He referred the client to treatment and built an extensive mitigation packet, including an independent risk assessment. He also went to the law enforcement station and reviewed the files himself, identifying that three of them were “age-difficult” — meaning the individuals could reasonably be either children or young adults rather than clearly minors. Rocky’s firsthand review and the mitigation he assembled convinced the prosecutor to reduce the charges to four counts of obscenity under Florida Statute § 847.011(1)(a), an offense that does not require sex offender registration.

The client received a withheld adjudication and three years of probation. Because Rocky had him complete treatment before the plea, the client also earned credit toward his probation — positioning him to seek possible early termination at the 18-month mark.

Rocky represented a client accused of molesting a 16-year-old boy at a Florida amusement park. The charge was indecent, lewd, or lascivious touching of certain minors — a felony carrying prison time and a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender.

Shortly after the arrest, Rocky went to the amusement park parking lot himself and documented the surveillance cameras that would have captured the alleged incident—footage law enforcement had never sought. He then traveled across the country to the state where the alleged victim lived and took the depositions of the boy, members of his family, and local police. Through meticulous and strategic questioning, Rocky exposed significant weaknesses in the story. He also presented defense witnesses who were aware of inconsistent statements made by the alleged victim’s family shortly after the incident was alleged to have occurred.

Through this work, Rocky convinced the State to dismiss the felony sex charge. The client pled to a reduced charge of child abuse, received a withheld adjudication and probation, and will not have to register as a sex offender.

A family hired The Brancato Law Firm after their child was accused of possessing an explicit video of another minor. Rocky immediately contacted the detective, invoked the client’s right to an attorney, and directed the detective to go through the firm for any further communication. The investigation lasted for months. This circle of protection around the client ended with the investigation being closed without an arrest. The parents’ quick action in hiring the firm was instrumental in the outcome.

Rocky represented a man under investigation for molesting his niece. Rather than wait for charges to be filed, Rocky was proactive—contacting the law enforcement agency directly and acting as a go-between in providing and receiving information throughout the investigation.

Ultimately, no charges were ever filed. A great weight was lifted off the client’s back—one that could have haunted him for the rest of his life.

Rocky’s client was under investigation for lewd or lascivious conduct with his stepdaughter. The client was innocent—the child had fabricated the story in order to live with another family member.

Rocky interviewed witnesses and acted as a go-between with the detective while shielding his client from a police interview. After several months, the investigation was closed, the client was never arrested and no charges were ever filed.

A man who had been removed from the sex offender registry in another state contacted The Brancato Law Firm, P.A. after purchasing a residence in Florida. The Sheriff’s Office contacted him through his Ring camera while he was out of state, advising that he needed to register in Florida.

Rocky investigated and determined the client had not met the threshold for registration under Florida law. He contacted the Sheriff’s Office registration unit on the client’s behalf and obtained assurances that registration would not be required so long as the client did not return to Florida and meet the statutory threshold—saving the client from a lifetime of sex offender registration requirements.

Rocky represented a juvenile accused of sex offenses involving a younger child. Recognizing the long-term consequences of a conviction and sex offender status, Rocky negotiated an alternative rehabilitation plan tailored to the child’s needs. The agreement allows the juvenile to enter therapy under professional supervision, with the possibility of dismissal once treatment is completed. Most importantly, this resolution ensures the child will not be labeled a sex offender—protecting his future while addressing the situation through treatment rather than punishment.

Rocky represented a man who had been improperly designated a sexual predator years earlier by another attorney’s handling of his case. After uncovering the error, Rocky successfully corrected the designation, reducing his status to sexual offender. With that crucial step achieved, Rocky then filed a motion requesting relief from the harsh restrictions that had limited his client’s life. The court granted internet access and approved contact with family children under a therapist-approved safety plan, allowing the client to move forward with greater freedom and dignity.

A client reached out after receiving notice from Google that police had obtained a search warrant for her online records. The warrant had required Google not to disclose this until a specific time period passed. Rocky reached out to the agency, spoke with the detective, found out what the investigation was about, and invoked the client’s right to an attorney and to remain silent.

Ultimately, the agency decided not to proceed with charges on a case where someone in the client’s home had been chatting with a minor. The client’s worries were reduced, and she was armed with advice that will allow her to mitigate or eliminate any future investigation.

Rocky collaborated with another firm on a jury trial of a man accused of solicitation to commit human trafficking and using a computer to commit a sex crime. Although the client was convicted at trial, the work of both attorneys and the client’s participation in treatment before trial contributed to the judge departing from the guidelines and sentencing the client to probation. Because of the treatment completed, the client was able to maintain contact with his child and use the internet while on probation—significant relief from the restrictions that typically accompany such convictions.

A client sought help challenging a sexual predator designation imposed years prior by previous counsel. Rocky conducted a meticulous review of court records and relevant statutes and identified that the client did not meet the legal criteria for the designation. He filed a motion to correct the illegal sentence.

Although initially denied, Rocky filed a compelling motion for reconsideration. His legal analysis convinced the prosecutor to agree, leading the judge to withdraw the previous order and remove the sexual predator designation. This outcome significantly improved the client’s future prospects.

Rocky defended a Tampa military veteran accused in a “cold hit” DNA case involving an alleged sexual battery that occurred eight years prior. Rocky recognized the critical nature of forensic evidence and retained a DNA expert, conducting a comprehensive review of all DNA evidence.

The expert’s analysis and assistance during depositions demonstrated that Rocky’s client was excluded as a contributor to the DNA profile from the victim. Based on this definitive evidence, the prosecutor dismissed all charges, achieving a full exoneration for the client.

Rocky represented a 27-year-old client accused of unlawful sexual contact with a 16-year-old. Rocky conducted an extensive investigation of the alleged victim’s social media, which revealed she presented as older online and appeared with other older men. He highlighted multiple inconsistent stories given by the alleged victim. This powerful evidence led the prosecutor to dismiss the charge completely.

Rocky defended a client accused of sexual battery and trespass in Ybor City. Prosecutors alleged the client lured the victim into a van. Rocky’s cross-examination highlighted inconsistencies in the allegations and established that the encounter was consensual. Evidence suggested the sexual assault claim arose only after they were discovered. The jury returned a Not Guilty verdict on attempted sexual battery, convicting only on misdemeanor trespass.

A client faced charges of lewd or lascivious conduct in front of children. The prosecution relied on child testimony. Through strategic cross-examination, Rocky exposed inconsistencies in their statements and raised doubts about their ability to accurately witness the alleged acts. The jury rejected the felony charge, finding the client guilty only of misdemeanor exposure of a sexual organ. The client successfully avoided sex offender registration.

Rocky represented a young man charged with multiple counts of possessing party drugs and pills. Rocky negotiated a diversion program that would result in dismissal upon completion. The client has since completed the program, the charges were dismissed, and he is now eligible to have his record expunged.

Rocky represented a husband and wife who flew to Tampa for a cruise vacation. During a security screening of their luggage by the cruise line, felony amounts of marijuana were discovered in multiple forms — vape cartridges, flower, and edibles. Both were arrested and taken to the Hillsborough County jail, missing their cruise entirely.

The couple retained Rocky and waived any conflict of interest to allow him to represent them both. Through pre-file advocacy, Rocky presented the facts to the State Attorney’s Office, arguing that constructive possession applied — neither spouse could be individually linked to the drugs in shared luggage. He also emphasized the significant punishment the couple had already endured: arrest, jail, a ruined vacation, and the financial loss of the cruise. The prosecutor agreed. Charges were never filed against either client.

A man represented by the Public Defender contacted Rocky on the eve of trial. The Public Defender’s best offer was a fairly significant prison sentence. According to discovery, the evidence was a video of the sale and testimony of the undercover officer. Discovery included screenshots from the video.

Rocky did what the assistant public defender never did: he demanded to see the video. It turned out the video had been misplaced—all that remained were screenshots and the officer’s testimony. Rocky worked out a resolution where the 1000-feet enhancement was dropped and the client received probation instead of prison.

When prosecutors charged his client with trafficking in amphetamine, the stakes could not have been higher. Rocky immediately attacked the State’s evidence, filing a motion to suppress that exposed serious weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. That motion created the leverage needed to negotiate a far better outcome: the trafficking charge was reduced, and the client was accepted into a diversion program. Under the agreement, the case will be dismissed once the client completes a drug evaluation and any recommended outpatient treatment.

Facing serious fentanyl trafficking charges, Rocky’s client was initially subject to a motion for pretrial detention. Rocky successfully challenged this motion, securing the client’s release on bond. He leveraged complex arguments surrounding constructive possession and questioned the legality of the vehicle search. Through strategic negotiation with the prosecutor, within just three weeks of the arrest, the prosecutor issued a Letter of Release, formally dismissing the fentanyl trafficking case.

Responding to an early morning call on the firm’s 24/7 line, Rocky swiftly acted for a client arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. At the First Appearance hearing, Rocky argued the client’s actions did not meet the intent of the firearm statute, leading the judge to set low bonds.

Rocky’s immediate engagement with the intake prosecutor resulted in both charges being formally dismissed within days of the client’s arrest—preserving a clean record.

A business manager was accused of trafficking 200-400 grams of cocaine in Tampa. At trial, the prosecution relied heavily on co-defendant testimony. Rocky successfully countered this by demonstrating the co-defendant was the actual trafficker—his client was merely present. The jury returned a Not Guilty verdict, clearing the client of all charges.

Rocky defended a client accused of delivering cocaine within 1000 feet of a church and possession of cocaine. At trial, Rocky presented a mistaken identity defense and highlighted poor police work. The jury found his client Not Guilty on both counts.

Rocky represented a man accused of selling cocaine within 1000 feet of a church and a school. He presented a defense of insufficient proof of guilt. The jury found his client Not Guilty on both counts.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a man accused of felony domestic violence battery by strangulation and domestic violence battery. Jean-Luc first got one count dismissed, through arguments, at First Appearance. Jean-Luc then contacted the alleged victim, who did not want to press charges on the remaining count. He prepared an affidavit, which the alleged victim signed and notarized. Jean-Luc presented the affidavit to the prosecutor, who issued a Letter of Release, declining to file charges.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a woman charged with domestic violence battery. The alleged victim did not want to press charges. Jean-Luc prepared an affidavit, which the alleged victim signed and notarized. The State declined to file charges.

Rocky represented a medical doctor charged with domestic violence battery, second offense—a third-degree felony. Rocky met with the doctor’s wife, who did not wish to press charges. Rocky prepared an affidavit, which the wife signed and returned. The State issued a Letter of Release, declining to file charges.

Rocky represented a woman charged with battering her live-in boyfriend after someone called police during an argument following a night of drinking. Rocky contacted the boyfriend, who wanted the charges dropped. Rocky crafted an affidavit based on the boyfriend’s wishes, which the boyfriend signed and returned. Rocky provided the affidavit to the State Attorney’s Office, which declined to file charges before arraignment.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a woman charged with Domestic Violence Battery against her husband. The couple was going through a divorce, and the client had video evidence showing that the husband had actually battered her. The husband attempted to use the criminal case as leverage to obtain a restraining order to gain an advantage in the divorce. Our office submitted the video to the State Attorney’s Office, but the husband’s objections caused delay. Through continued advocacy with the prosecutor, our office demonstrated that the husband was manipulating the criminal justice system to gain leverage in his divorce proceedings. The State declined to prosecute the case the day before arraignment.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a woman accused of battering her husband. Jean-Luc quickly gathered photographs showing recent injuries to his client from abuse close in time to the incident, supporting her claim of self-defense. He provided those photos to the intake prosecutor. Additionally, the firm reached out to the alleged victim, who wanted the charges dropped and contact restored. An affidavit was quickly prepared and sent to the alleged victim, who promptly signed it before a notary and returned it the same day. The affidavit was submitted to the prosecutor, and the State declined to file charges the next day.

An active-duty service member with top secret clearance was arrested for Domestic Violence Battery and Tampering with Evidence. While in jail, he was charged in a separate case with Tampering with a Witness for allegedly asking another person to contact the victim. After his original attorney failed to respond, the client hired Rocky. Rocky promptly worked with the intake prosecutor to get the second case dismissed. For the original case, which was more complicated, Rocky contacted the alleged victim, who wanted the charges dropped, and prepared an affidavit that the victim signed requesting dismissal. Rocky also coordinated with the client’s JAG officer to navigate a resolution that would preserve his military career. All charges were ultimately dismissed, paving the way for the client to continue serving.

The alleged victim hired Rocky after his wife was arrested for Domestic Violence Battery against him. Wanting to undo what had happened, he retained The Brancato Law Firm to represent her. Rocky attended First Appearance Court and helped secure a low bond. He then prepared an affidavit for the victim to sign requesting that charges be dismissed. Through Rocky’s work with the intake prosecutor, the State declined to file charges.

A client’s family hired Rocky after she was arrested for Domestic Violence Battery on her boyfriend. Rocky appeared at First Appearance Court and secured a $250 bond. After quickly learning the victim did not wish to prosecute, Rocky quickly prepared a handcrafted affidavit and emailed it to the victim, who signed, notarized, and returned it the same day. Rocky submitted the affidavit to the State Attorney’s Office, which declined to file charges within two weeks of the arrest.

A mother contacted Rocky because her college-aged son had an active warrant for domestic violence battery. The family had called police only to get him mental health help—not to have him arrested.

Rocky worked with lightning speed, preparing affidavits for both parents to sign requesting that charges not be filed. He presented the affidavits to the intake prosecutor and explained the urgency. Within 24 hours of mom’s call, the State filed a Notice of Termination of Prosecution. The family was able to focus on getting their son well instead of having to deal with an arrest and navigating the criminal justice system. The client will not face lifelong collateral consequences such as ineligibility for gun ownership or military service since he was never arrested.

A young woman came to Rocky after her abusive ex falsely accused her of assault. A warrant was out for her arrest. Other attorneys advised her to turn herself in and lower her bond in court.

Rocky took a smarter route—he contacted the intake prosecutor, presented evidence of her abuse, and persuaded the State to drop the charges. The warrant was recalled, and she never had to go to jail or appear in court. Rocky then helped her obtain a restraining order to protect her from future harm.

A father faced aggravated child abuse charges after his daughter was found to have a pancreatic injury. Initial medical opinions suggested intentional blunt force trauma. Rocky’s defense included retaining a forensic pathologist and thoroughly reviewing all medical records.

The expert analysis revealed the injury was caused by a congenital choledochal cyst—a condition present since birth, not abuse. This critical medical evidence led the prosecutor to dismiss all charges, completely clearing the father’s name.

A young man was accused of severely injuring his baby. After his arrest, doctors diagnosed the client with severe Toxoplasmosis—a condition that impaired his cognitive and physical abilities. Rocky obtained medical records and hired a psychiatrist who confirmed the condition impaired the client’s functioning at the time of the incident, rendering his conduct involuntary. The aggravated child abuse charge was reduced to misdemeanor battery with probation—a significantly more favorable outcome.

Rocky represented an airline pilot arrested for DUI who blew slightly below the legal limit but had unlawful drugs in his system. Rocky negotiated a reduction of the charges to Reckless Driving, helping protect the client’s career.

Rocky represented a client charged with DUI, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Refusing a Breath Test. The client did not qualify for the RIDR diversion program due to the crash. Rocky prepared a comprehensive mitigation report and treatment plan, resulting in the prosecutor agreeing to reduce the charges to Reckless Driving with a withheld adjudication.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a man arrested on a warrant from an open 2024 case and held without bond. The client had no court date for over a month. Jean-Luc filed a notice of appearance and a motion to set bond on the same day, and the client was released from jail two days later. Jean-Luc then appeared on the client’s behalf and negotiated closure of the case through a diversion program, resulting in no conviction.

Rocky represented a combat veteran facing a warrant for violating his DUI probation. Rather than have the client turn himself in, Rocky filed a motion to withdraw the warrant and allow the violation of probation hearing to proceed with the client out of custody.

In the motion, Rocky highlighted the client’s significant progress on probation despite new charges pending in another county. He also presented the court with the client’s military service record and the mental health challenges he carried as a result of that service. The judge was persuaded — the warrant was withdrawn, probation was modified, and the client never spent a day in jail.

Rocky’s client was arrested on a failure to appear warrant and a driving while license suspended charge. She had actually appeared on the date originally noticed—but the court date had changed and she never received notice because she had moved. She had even filed a change of address form with the clerk on the same day as her original court date.

Rocky filed an emergency bond motion and secured her immediate release on her own recognizance. He then worked out a resolution: the client would pay her outstanding traffic tickets and reinstate her license, and the charges would be dismissed. The State dismissed both charges.

Rocky represented a man pulled over by police. A marijuana blunt was lit at the time of the stop, and the video showed thick smoke emanating from the vehicle. After field sobriety tests, the client was arrested for DUI based on the officer’s belief that he was under the influence of marijuana. Rocky negotiated the charge down to reckless driving.

Rocky represented a man charged with DUI. There were open liquor bottles in the vehicle and the client had consumed alcohol—but he was not unlawfully impaired. Rocky negotiated a reduction to reckless driving.

After a DUI arrest, Rocky’s client lost both his standard driver’s license and CDL at the DHSMV administrative hearing. Rocky handled the hearing personally, and when the agency’s own officer upheld the suspension, he did not stop there. Rocky filed a petition for writ of certiorari in circuit court, persuaded a judge that the suspension was improper, and won a ruling reinstating both licenses. The decision not only restored the client’s driving privileges but also protected his livelihood as a commercial driver.

Rocky represented a man charged with expired registration, second offense. Rocky worked out a resolution where the client would get his car registered and charges were dismissed.

A client facing driving while license suspended charges sought Rocky’s help. Rocky’s prompt investigation revealed the true driver had used his client’s identification. He immediately requested and obtained the police body camera footage, which confirmed his client was not the driver. The very next day in court, Rocky presented clear screenshots from the video to the prosecutor, resulting in the immediate dismissal of the DWLS charges.

A man from another state contacted Rocky for help clearing old Florida DUIs that were blocking him from getting an unrestricted license at home. While other attorneys offered vague advice, Rocky researched the law, consulted with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and provided a clear, step-by-step plan. The client recently reached out to share his success—his Florida license is now clear, and he holds an unrestricted license in his home state.

Rocky defended a client charged with DUI (refusal) and resisting arrest without violence. He argued the client was not impaired, using scene video to support the defense. Rocky also contended the officer was overly aggressive and the client did not resist. The jury found his client Not Guilty on both counts.

Rocky represented a man accused of felony Driving While License Suspended with Habitual Traffic Offender status. At trial, the prosecution presented a redacted record. Rocky argued persuasively to the jury that a bureaucrat’s paper record should not be trusted when a man’s liberty is on the line. The jury found his client Not Guilty.

Rocky represented a professional under investigation by The Florida Bar for the unlicensed practice of law, which in Florida is also a third-degree felony. Rocky’s carefully crafted responses to the Bar protected the client’s rights while working toward a resolution. No criminal charges were filed. The Bar closed its file with a Letter of Advisement, and the client was not required to admit any wrongdoing.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a man charged with possession of a short-barreled rifle, possession of a felony amount of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jean-Luc prepared an extensive mitigation report, filed a motion to dismiss for failure to establish actual or constructive possession, and filed a request for a proposed jury instruction on the issue of whether the client knew the firearm was short-barreled and therefore unlawful. Through this work, Jean-Luc negotiated a diversion program for the client—a critical outcome, as a felony conviction would likely have resulted in serious immigration consequences, including his deportation.

Jean-Luc Adrien represented a man charged with an environmental violation that, if convicted, would have negatively impacted his employment. Jean-Luc initially sought a diversion program, but the State denied the request based on its erroneous belief that the client had a disqualifying prior conviction. Jean-Luc provided information to the State demonstrating a case of mistaken identity, confirming the client was eligible for diversion. The client entered the program and avoided a conviction that would have jeopardized his career.

Rocky represented a man charged with disorderly intoxication and unlawfully impeding, threatening, or harassing a first responder in Ybor City. The incident was captured on video, and it was clear the client’s conduct did not constitute disorderly intoxication. The second charge, however, was a closer call.

Rocky presented mitigation to the prosecutor and worked out an agreement: the client would perform 10 hours of community service, and the State would not file charges. The State did not file either charge.

Two parents reached out to Rocky on behalf of their son, who was incarcerated, mentally ill, and arrested for loitering and prowling. Rocky assisted the parents in navigating the bond process and worked out a diversion program where the client would receive a mental health evaluation and participate in treatment in exchange for dismissal of charges.

Within a single month, the same client faced two separate violations of probation. On the first violation, Rocky successfully persuaded the court to dismiss the allegation entirely. When the client was brought back on a second violation just weeks later, Rocky again went to work—this time securing an order for probation to be terminated. The result: the client is no longer under supervision and faces no further probation or incarceration.

A parent retained Rocky to assist their student facing a Student Conduct & Ethical Development hearing at USF following an off-campus criminal arrest. Although the incident occurred off campus, it was deemed a potential violation of the USF Student Code of Conduct. Rocky provided detailed preparation materials and conducted a mock hearing to ensure the student was fully prepared. With Rocky’s support, the student presented effectively and confidently. The matter was resolved informally with no disciplinary record, and the student was allowed to continue their education without interruption.

Rocky represented a man charged with corruption by threat against a public servant and resisting an officer without violence. Because the case involved a law enforcement officer, the client—despite having no criminal record—was not eligible for diversion. He also faced deportation.

Rocky filed a motion to suppress, attacking the basis for the encounter. The officer had stopped the client over medical marijuana and believed it was unlawful to possess a marijuana pipe. However, unlike medical marijuana itself—which must be purchased from a licensed facility and kept in its original packaging—paraphernalia has no such requirement for someone with a valid medical marijuana license.

The motion created the leverage Rocky needed to negotiate a diversion program despite the law enforcement involvement. The client is now eligible for dismissal of the charges and has a pathway to avoid deportation.

An out-of-state visitor faced significant anxiety and potential arrest for over four years due to a lingering felony charge from a trip to Tampa. Feeling out of options, she contacted Rocky. He quickly gathered crucial facts and communicated directly with the State Attorney’s Office supervision. The result: the warrant was quashed and the entire case was dismissed.

This complex case involved representing a man accused of forging an order that would commute his life sentence and lead to his release. The forged order was officially clocked in at multiple locations—the Florida Department of Corrections, the prison, and the Miami Clerk of Court. Additionally, the client’s fingerprint was allegedly found on a copy.

Despite this evidence, Rocky mounted a unique defense. He conducted extensive research and investigation, disputed the fingerprint evidence at trial, and cross-examined officials from Miami, including a Circuit Judge. Tried in Pensacola, Rocky employed a strategy he called the “presidential election defense”—leveraging skepticism towards Miami officials following the controversial 2000 election to cast doubt on the paper trail evidence. He did not argue the officials lied, but highlighted the possibility of administrative errors and the lack of direct evidence that his client typed the forged order. The jury found Rocky’s client Not Guilty.

Rocky’s client was charged with first-degree murder and armed burglary with a firearm and held without bond on a pretrial detention motion. After receiving discovery, Rocky rapidly reviewed the entire file and identified evidence showing there was no burglary—and that his client’s state of mind at the time of the shooting was consistent with justifiable use of deadly force, not murder. On rehearing, Rocky presented these findings to the court, and the judge set bond at $75,000. Rocky’s client walked out of jail after paying a bondsman $7,500.

Rocky’s client was held without bond on charges of capital sexual battery. Rocky conducted a thorough case review and discovered serious problems with the way DCF and a patrol deputy had suggested details to the child and allowed their own biases to contaminate the integrity of the case at its inception. He filed an extensive bond motion outlining these problems in detail. After a lengthy hearing, the court set bond at $20,000 with an electronic monitor. Rocky later filed a second motion to remove the electronic monitor, arguing that circumstances surrounding his client’s employment and her location over seven hours away from the child made the restriction unnecessary. The court agreed and granted the motion.