Jason S. Downs - Melbourne, FL
Attorney at Murphy & Downs Law Offices, P.A.
Criminal Defense Lawyers in Melbourne, FL
3682 N. Wickham Road Suite A Melbourne, FL 32935
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
7
Years
Experience
Melbourne Criminal Defense Lawyer
Updated: 02/16/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense
Attorney Information
Overview
Attorney Jason S. Downs has been recognized nationally by Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star. While up to 5% of attorneys in a state may be named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5% are named to the Rising Stars list. Jason has also been recognized as Top 100 by The National Trial Lawyers®, Client’s Choice by Avvo®, “Superb” by Avvo®. , “Top Attorney” by Avvo®., and Top Contributor by Avvo®. Mr. Downs is also rated “10” by Avvo®, which is the highest rating an attorney can obtain.
Mr. Downs has been a Brevard County resident since his family migrated from Ohio in 1983. After working as an EMT, Mr. Downs began his legal career. He began working in criminal defense as a paralegal before transitioning to becoming an independent legal analyst and brief author. As a legal analyst, Mr. Downs was retained by many Florida criminal defense attorneys to lend his skills in formulating winning defense strategies. His acumen for successfully directing cases was in high demand. Mr. Downs authored countless successful motions to suppress evidence and motions to dismiss charges. He is also the author of dozens of prevailing appeals in all levels of the Florida Court system and in the Supreme Court of the United States. Many of Mr. Downs’s appeals resulted in published opinions.
After years of encouragement from some of Brevard County’s most respected attorneys, Mr. Downs began his law school career at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Tampa, Florida. There, Mr. Downs excelled, earning Certificates of Merit for achieving the highest marks in Florida Drunk Driving Law and Practice, Appellate Advocacy, Trial Skills, Legal Research and Writing, and Torts. He also successfully completed a directed legal study in Criminal Defense. Mr. Downs competed nationally in Moot Court competitions, was a distinguished member of the Moot Court Board, and was the winner of the coveted Melissa Mitchell Moot Court Competition. Mr. Downs graduated cum laude after earning Dean’s List and Honor Roll honors in each semester and he did so while completing law school in only 2 years.
Upon graduating with his Juris Doctor degree, Mr. Downs joined Murphy’s Law Offices, P.A. as a Law Clerk under the tutelage of highly regarded Attorney John C. Murphy. After proving himself, Mr. Downs was made partner and the firm name changed to Murphy & Downs.
While some attorneys advertise the fact that they began their career working for the State, Mr. Downs has dedicated 100% of his professional career working to Defend the Accused.
Jason S. Downs continues to reside in Brevard County where his wife works as a social worker for persons with disabilities, his father is a respected member of the law enforcement community, and his brother is a Captain Fire/Medic. His ties to Brevard County are strong and his commitment to defending those in his community who are accused of crimes is unwavering. If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime, contact Attorney Jason S. Downs today.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Recognized nationally by Super Lawyers® as a Rising Star
- Top 100 by The National Trial Lawyers®
- Client’s Choice by Avvo®
- “Superb” by Avvo®
- “Top Attorney” by Avvo®
- Top Contributor by Avvo®
- Rated “10” by Avvo®
Other Sources of Feedback About Jason S. Downs
Included on the 2026 Florida Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Florida Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Florida Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Florida Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Florida Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Thomas M. Cooley Law School,
Auburn Hills,
Michigan
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
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Thomas M. Cooley Law School,
Auburn Hills,
Michigan
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Non Legal Education
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Hodges University
B.S., Bachelor of Science
Honors: summa cum laude
Major: Legal Studies -
Hodges University
Associates of Applied Science
Honors: summa cum laude
Major: Paralegal Studies
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Hodges University
Current Employment Position(s)
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Founding Partner
Published Works
Articles
-
Exclusion of DNA Evidence at Trial was recently published by The Florida Defender law journal in their Winter, 2019 Edition, Pages 22-26
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2020 Edition of The Florida Defender law journal for an article regarding lab testing in cannabis-related DUIs
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2020 Edition of The Florida Defender law journal for an article regarding the restriction of police authority in neighboring jurisdictions
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Spring 2022 Edition of The Florida Defender law journal for an article regarding DUI cases involving a crash
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- Supreme Court of Florida
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
Other Affiliations
- American Inns of Court
- Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Brevard Chapter
- National College for DUI Defense
- National College for DUI Defense, Brevard Chapter
- Florida Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
- Florida Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section
- Florida Bar Association Criminal Defense Section
- Florida Bar Association Appellate Law Section
- Brevard County Bar Association
- Brevard County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Photo
Contact
3682 N. Wickham Road
Suite A
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: 321-233-6047
Email: Send a message
Website: https://murphydowns.com/
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