Attorney John Carl Lemon's Legal Cases

Personal injury

Pinedo v. Valley Farm Transport (Solano County Superior Court) FCS055719

Jul 18, 2025

OUTCOME: $11,162,247 verdict and confidential settlement before punitive-damages phase

Serving as lead counsel in a civil trial for the first time, won a verdict of $11,162,247 -- more than 44 times the only settlement offer -- as well as a finding in favor of punitive damages. The jury ... awarded $7,650,000 in pain and suffering, on roughly $3.5M in economic losses. It was the No. 1 verdict in the state of California for negligent hiring, workplace safety, and road rage, the No. 34 personal injury verdict, and the No. 53 verdict across all categories. Reached a confidential settlement on the morning that the punitive-damages phase of trial was scheduled to begin.

Federal crime

United States v. Maloney, 755 F.3d 1044 (9th Cir. 2014) (en banc)

Feb 28, 2015

OUTCOME: Reversed and Remanded

Appeal after jury trial of conviction for possession of over 100 kg of marijuana with intent to distribute by an unlicensed single-occupant driver of a commercial tractor. A panel of the Ninth Circuit ... Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction in a two-to-one opinion (reported at 699 F.3d 1130), which the court later vacated pending rehearing en banc. After the en banc argument, the U.S. Attorney conceded that the prosecutor committed misconduct, which denied the defendant a fair trial. The court then reversed the conviction and sentence in a published order.

Federal crime

United States v. Franco, et. al. (S.D. Cal. 2013)

Oct 02, 2013

OUTCOME: Acquitted by jury of all firearms offenses and crimes-of-violence (including attempted murder)

Federal RICO and VCAR (Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering) prosecution of several North County San Diego street gangs allegedly under the control of a putative prison gang. After a seven-week trial ... involving seven codefendants, client was acquitted by a jury of all substantive crimes of violence, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in furtherance of the alleged racketeering enterprise, as well as discharging and brandishing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence (18 U.S.C. § 924(c) offenses), which would have carried a combined 35-year mandatory-consecutive sentence.

Federal crime

United States v. Heredia, et. al. (S.D. Cal. 2009)

Jul 08, 2009

OUTCOME: Hung jury and plea to no-time misdemeanor

Extremely large and complex Department of Justice prosecution of multiple defendants charged with conspiring to use the internet to unlawfully distribute prescription drugs and launder money. The trial ... involved seven codefendants and lasted more than three months.

Federal crime

United States v. Murillo, et. al. (C.D. Cal. 2008)

Jul 01, 2008

OUTCOME: Client acquitted of all felony charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder

Complex, seven-month murder trial of five codefendants involving alleged prison gang.

Federal crime

United States v. Ojeda-Quintero, (S.D. Cal. 2007)

Nov 09, 2007

OUTCOME: Case dismissed after two jury trials resulting in hung juries.

Narcotics importation case -- single occupant driver who allegedly confessed to knowingly importing 14.48 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Federal crime

United States v. Lozano-Medel (S.D. Cal. 2006)

Dec 08, 2006

OUTCOME: Complete acquittal after jury trial.

Alien smuggling prosecution of single occupant driver of vehicle containing concealed undocumented alien.

John Carl Lemon's Legal Cases (7)

Pinedo v. Valley Farm Transport (Solano County Superior Court) FCS055719

United States v. Maloney, 755 F.3d 1044 (9th Cir. 2014) (en banc)

United States v. Franco, et. al. (S.D. Cal. 2013)

United States v. Heredia, et. al. (S.D. Cal. 2009)

United States v. Murillo, et. al. (C.D. Cal. 2008)

United States v. Ojeda-Quintero, (S.D. Cal. 2007)

United States v. Lozano-Medel (S.D. Cal. 2006)