Matthew Phillip Kraut

I am a career courtroom attorney with over 25 years of experience handling all variety of criminal cases. I have tried numerous cases to juries including those involving allegations of murder, sexual assault, gang-related activity, and violent crimes involving firearms and other weapons. I have also tried hundreds of cases involving mental health issues and defenses, including murder cases with insanity and mental incompetence defenses. That experience led to my teaching on the subject of mental illness and mental defenses to California prosecutors at seminars hosted by the California District Attorneys Association.

Currently, my practice is dedicated to private criminal defense. I am located in San Luis Obispo County, more specifically in Shell Beach. I handle cases anywhere in California, although I primarily focus on cases heard in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Santa Clara University School of Law

J.D. (1992) | Law

1989 - 1992

Loyola Marymount University

B.A. (1986) | History

1982 - 1986

Principal/Owner/Sole Proprietor

The Law Office of Matthew Kraut

2018 - Current

Deputy District Attorney

DA's Office San Luis Obispo County

1998 - 2018

Deputy District Attorney

DA's Office Ventura County

1993 - 1998

California State Bar  # 162036

Member

1992 - Current

California

Since 1992