John Runfola is a highly experienced and effective criminal defense attorney. His cases have at times drawn international attention, and he has succeeded in winning favorable results for clients both at trial and through skillful pre-trial work. He is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has earned the highest rating from the national lawyer registry Martindale Hubbell.
Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Runfola served as a Public Defender in San Francisco, where he gained invaluable courtroom experience. He is a seasoned trial lawyer, yet is equally adept at the behind-the-scenes work that often proves critical to a case: conceiving of strategies to exclude evidence, weaken the government's hand, and provide mitigating information regarding his clients,, so that charges are reduced or dismissed, or a lesser sentence can be achieved. His cases have been the subject of numerous articles in publications such as New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Francisco Examiner, and have been featured on TV news shows including "48 Hours" and "Dateline NBC."
Mr. Runfola has a deep commitment to justice and is keenly aware of the daunting prospect of squaring off against the government, with its tremendous reservoirs of power and resources. He comes from a tradition of the strongest legal advocacy and ethics, having seen his father, Joseph Runfola, work as a criminal defense lawyer and a groundbreaking president of the Erie County Bar Association in New York State. Joseph Runfola, among other accomplishments, created a committee on sex discrimination well ahead of its time, and headed the Bar Association's Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society and its Prisoner Release Program. Like his father, John Runfola truly listens to, and is a tireless advocate for, his clients. His aim is to help people resolve their cases in a way that minimizes the damage to their lives.
-- Drug Offenses
-- Criminal Trial Practice
-- Federal Offenses
-- Juvenile Offenses
-- Vehicular Crimes and DUI
-- Criminal Appeals
-- White Collar Crimes
-- Violent Crimes
-- Homicide
-- Weapons Charges
-- Domestic Violence
-- Sexual Assault
http://www.runfola-criminal-defense.com/
San Francisco criminal defense lawyer John Runfola represents people charged with federal crimes nationwide, state or federal crimes in California or anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area or the surrounding region, including communities such as Oakland, Modesto, Stockton, Lodi, Vallejo, and Redding, and throughout Sonoma County, Humboldt County, San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, Mendocino County, Sacramento County, Napa County, Solano County, Marin County, San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, and Yolo County.
Practice areas
Experienced representation in all areas of criminal defense.
41 years, 1,000 cases
We have a track record in dealing with virtually every agency, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, ATF, Secret Service, Customs, and Immigration. We have worked nationally on behalf of our clients, in California, Florida, New York, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, as well as internationally in Canada, Peru, Jamaica, Australia and Thailand.
41 years, 500 cases
We have an extensive and successful track record in representing clients accused of violent crimes, including the following: Homicide Attempted Murder Assault with a deadly weapon or great bodily injury and battery Aggravated Assault Carjacking Domestic violence and domestic assault Kidnapping Weapons charges Armed robbery Violent Sex Crimes
41 years, 500 cases
Experienced defense for an array of white-collar crimes, including: Mortgage fraud Mail and wire fraud Embezzlement Conspiracy Corporate Accounting Fraud Stock Fraud Securities Fraud Computer Fraud / Internet Fraud Corporate Fraud Mail Fraud Wire Fraud Money Laundering
41 years, 300 cases
41 years, 300 cases
We marshal all resources and arguments to keep a child from being prosecuted and punished as an adult, a trend that has taken hold in recent years. Given the stakes, we apply the same aggressiveness to a juvenile case as our other cases, seeking to reduce or dismiss charges, suppress illegally obtained evidence, and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement or win at trial.
41 years, 125 cases
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1980 | 10/28/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
AV Rated Preeminent Attorney | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2008 |
Spellbound Free Speech Award | The Office of the Federal Public Defender | 2008 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2007 |
---|---|---|
AV Rating - (Highest Level of Legal Ability, Very High Ethics) | Martindale-Hubbell | 2007 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2006 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2006 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2005 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2005 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2004 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2004 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2003 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2003 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2002 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2002 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2001 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2001 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2000 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2000 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 1999 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 1999 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 1998 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 1998 |
AV Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 1997 |
Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 1997 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Law Offices of John Runfola | 1984 - Present |
Public Defender | San Francisco Public Defender's Office | 1981 - 1984 |
Public Defender | Marin County Public Defender's Office | 1981 - 1981 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Bar Association of San Francisco | Conference Attendant | 2001 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1990 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1980 - Present |
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice | Member | 1980 - Present |
Lawyers Club of San Francisco | Member | 1980 - Present |
California Public Defenders Association | Member | 1980 - Present |
---|---|---|
Phi Beta Kappa | Member | 1979 - Present |
Bar Association of San Francisco | Member | 1980 - 2000 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
San Francisco State University | MA - Masters | 1980 |
University of San Francisco School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1980 |
State University of New York College at Buffalo | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1973 |
State University of New York, College at Buffalo | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1973 |
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Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on May 25, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
David Wilton, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 10, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
John's a lawyer with a heart. He genuinely cares about his clients and works hard to help them. He'll go the extra mile to ensure that his clients are treated fairly. I'd recommend him to anyone considering hiring him.
Daniel Horowitz, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 19, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
You will not find a more honest and dedicated professional. John is highly experienced and highly skilled but he is also down to earth. There are two types of lawyers. Those who make believe they are good at all costs and those, like John who are really that good and let their performance do the talking for them. Dan Horowitz