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About the firm

Defense Attorney Matthew Lufrano

Board Certified Expert in Criminal Trial Law

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Free Criminal Case Review

Start Your Path To Justice Now.

Experienced Attorney: Matthew Lufrano

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Mr. Lufrano began his law career as an Assistant Public Defender in Jacksonville. As an APD, he hit the ground running, initially defending clients charged with misdemeanors before ultimately defending others facing felonies. In 2012, Mr. Lufrano was named the 4th Circuit Public Defender’s Office Trial Attorney of the Year. Moreover, during his four-year tenure as an APD, Mr. Lufrano tried cases ranging from theft and DUI to first-degree murder. Then, in early 2014, Mr. Lufrano left the Public Defender’s Office with his good friend and colleague Diana L. Johnson. Their goal was to form a criminal defense firm serving the Jacksonville area that could represent a client at all three possible levels of criminal prosecution: pretrial, trial, and appeal. It was out of this dream that Johnson and Lufrano, P.A. was born, and the firm operated under this name until 2020 when Ms. Johnson left the firm to serve as the Public Defender’s Director of Juvenile Defense. But following Ms. Johnson’s departure, Mr. Lufrano has continued to operate the firm and defend the accused throughout Northeast Florida under the new firm name of Lufrano Legal, P.A.

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Florida Bar Board-Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

Lawyer Matthew Lufrano
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About Matthew Lufrano

Matthew Lufrano was born in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Jacksonville, Florida when he was six. It was in this wonderful city that Mr. Lufrano grew up, and he remained in for the next twelve years. During this time, Mr. Lufrano attended Jacksonville Episcopal High School until his graduation in 2002. In fact, it wasn’t until college that he took a brief leave of absence from the city that he again calls home. Mr. Lufrano then attended the University of Florida in Gainesville for his undergraduate studies. There, he studied both political science and psychology. In 2006, he was inducted into the prestigious honors society, Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated cum laude with bachelor’s degrees in both political science and psychology. During his undergraduate years, Mr. Lufrano developed an intense passion for community service, and that drive to help others is something that remains with him to this day. Upon finishing his undergraduate work, Mr. Lufrano remained at the University of Florida to study law. It was during the first semester of law school that he received the book award for professional responsibility. Following his first year of studies at law school, Mr. Lufrano interned for the Federal Public Defenders Office in Jacksonville, FL. As a legal intern, he learned about the vast web of vibrations that a criminal proceeding can have, as well as the importance of a vigorous defense. After this internship, he returned to Gainesville to complete his legal studies, but his passion for criminal defense never wavered, and in 2009, Mr. Lufrano obtained his Juris Doctor and took his place as a defender of the accused.

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Our Reviews

  • Highly Recommend

    Shelby A.

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    Google

    “Called Matt this afternoon. He was able to respond to questions I had right away. Professional and being that he is very pleasant to speak with, took the edge off having to seek help. Thanks for everything you do! Highly recommend.”

  • Fantastic Trial Lawyer

    Sean M.

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    Google

    “Mr. Lufrano is a fantastic trial lawyer. Today is the one year anniversary of my trial and Matt is the reason we are celebrating Acquittal Day from now on. I hope you don’t need him, but if you do waste no time!“

  • Impeccable Service

    James

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    Avvo

    “Mr. Lufrano is my attorney from now on…..Impeccable service. I was given constant updates on my case via phone calls and emails. I was emailed copies of all motions filed on my behalf (e.g., waiver of appearance , and discovery).“

Jacksonville Criminal Defense FAQ

If you’ve been accused, arrested, or charged with a crime in Jacksonville, it’s important to learn as much as you can about how a criminal defense attorney can protect your rights and what to expect from the process. The following are some of the questions we hear most frequently from our clients, but if you have questions that are not answered here, please do not hesitate to call us at (904) 513 3905.

An experienced criminal defense attorney can guide you through the complicated legal system and help ensure your rights are fully protected. These are just a few of the actions a Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer may take on your behalf: 

  • Investigate the facts of your case and analyze the prosecutor’s case
  • Gather evidence
  • Gather statements from witnesses
  • File a motion to suppress evidence and/or statements
  • File a motion to dismiss charges
  • Advise you regarding your rights
  • Advise you regarding potential sentencing outcomes
  • Secure expert witnesses if necessary
  • Negotiate with prosecutors for outcomes such as reduced bail, charges or sentences
  • Assert a defense at trial

At Lufrano Legal, P.A., we make sure that you understand every aspect of your case at each phase of the criminal process. One of our attorneys is always on call and available to speak with you any time of day or night, any day of the week.

Your choice of a criminal defense attorney to represent you may be one of the most important decisions you can make. If you find yourself in need of legal representation for a felony, misdemeanor, or juvenile offense, take time to research the attorneys you are considering before you retain one. Ask these questions so that you can compare each attorney’s qualifications:

  • How long have you practiced criminal law?
  • Is criminal defense your firm’s main focus or a sideline?
  • Have you handled cases similar to mine? If so, what were some of the outcomes?
  • How often do your criminal law cases go to trial?
  • Who will work on my case?
  • How often will we communicate?
  • Can I reach you whenever I need to?
  • Do you charge an hourly rate or a flat rate?
  • Will there be other expenses I will have to pay for?

You have several rights provided by the Constitution, state and federal statutes, and case law if you are arrested, including:

  • The right to remain silent.
  • The right to know the crimes with which you have been charged
  • The right to have an attorney with you at every critical stage of the prosecution.
  • The right to cross-examine the witnesses against you.
  • The right to present witnesses on your own behalf.
  • The right to access all of the evidence that the state intends to use against you.
  • The right to a jury trial.

The question as to when to invoke your right to remain silent is a straightforward one: the answer is virtually always. Many people think they can help themselves by cooperating with the police, but that’s rarely true. It’s generally best to politely decline to answer questions beyond basic identifying information. When invoking your right to remain silent, be clear and concise. For instance, you might say, “I am invoking my right to remain silent.”

  1. A criminal case begins when you are arrested or summoned to court.
  2. After the initial arrest, a “first appearance” hearing is conducted, during which the court may grant bail.
  3. An arraignment hearing is scheduled following the first appearance.
  4. At the arraignment, you’ll hear the charges against you and enter a plea.
  5. After the arraignment, there is a period of non-court action, including evidence gathering and negotiation. Your criminal lawyer and the prosecution will either agree on a plea deal or begin preparing for trial.
  6. Then, you will either attend a hearing on the plea agreement or will proceed to trial with your criminal lawyer.

An arraignment is the formal court hearing wherein the State files and announces what charges it will be pursuing against an accused.  The judge (or “court”) may do a number of things at an arraignment, including:

  • Advising you of the charges against you.
  • Advising you of the minimum and maximum penalties of the charges.
  • Asking how you wish to plea. 
  • Setting dates for future proceedings. 

At your arraignment hearing, you will be asked to enter a plea, which must be one of these formal responses:

  • Not guilty, which means you are denying that you committed the crime with which you are being charged.
  • Guilty, which is your admission that you committed the crime with which you are charged and that you are willing to accept the penalties imposed by the court.
  • No contest (or nolo contendere), which means you are not denying or admitting that you committed the crime, but are asking that the court resolve the matter. A plea of no contest is often associated with plea agreements.