R J. Larizza is a native of Jacksonville, Florida where he graduated from Bishop Kenny High School. He attended Troy State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in English. Upon graduation from Troy State University, R J. entered the workforce with the Florida Department of Corrections, working with young probationers and parolees.

R J. stayed with the Florida Department of Corrections for almost 13 years and attained the rank of  Supervisor II at the time of his departure from the Department in 1993. Most of his tenure with the Florida Department of Corrections (10 years) was spent in the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Office.

In the summer of 1993, at the age of 35, R.J. left the Florida Department of Corrections to pursue a law degree at Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law in Macon, Georgia. R. J. graduated in the top one third of his class in May of 1996. While a student at the university, R J. worked as a law clerk for the Houston County  District Attorney's Office in Perry, Georgia. R J. was on the Moot Court Board and Law Review for Mercer University and served as a Student Prosecutor. Upon graduation from The Walter F. George School of Law, R J. returned to St. Augustine where he worked as an Assistant State Attorney with the State Attorney's Office of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.

In January 2003 after 6 lf2 years, R. J. left the State Attorney's Office to pursue a private practice career. Following his successful private practice endeavor, R J. successfully ran for the Office of State Attorney for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, the Office that he currently holds.