Riccardo Lorenzo Ippolito

I hired Mr. Ippolito as my lawyer when I got my DUI last year. The day I got my DUI I felt like it was the end of the world because I ran risk of possibly losing my job. I can honestly say that Mr. Ippolito really cares for his clients and wants the best for them. When I met Mr. Ippolito during a con...sultation, he asked me everything that happened the day I got my DUI. I told him everything that happened and I felt he understood what I was going through and he told me," don't worry it's just a bump on the road, we will take care of it". His words put my mind at ease. He was completely honest on what he was able to do for me. I told him if he could get me a wet reckless and he responded " why a wet reckless?, Why not an infraction?" Mr.Ippolito did what he said and got my DUI down to an infraction. I know everyones case is different but if you want a lawyer who really cares about you and is totally honest with you, then go see Mr. Ippolito. He will get you the best result he can. I rate him the Best, most honest, caring, experienced lawyer in the Bay Area.

One year ago, I was involved in a DUI injury accident. Two people claimed injuries, two cars were damaged and mine was a total loss. I was immediately arrested and taken to jail. I didn't know when I would get out, if ever. Fearing the unknown was the scariest part of it all. I was released within 12... hours, with a court date in three weeks. Like clockwork, I received many letters from attorneys in the mail. Some looked too good to be true, some looked ok and some looked expensive. I considered several until I met with Riccardo Ippolito. From the moment I walked into his office, I was instantly welcomed with a magnitude of support. For the first time since the accident, I felt a little bit of hope. I was escorted into a conference room, shown a video of their team and was supplied with a packet of information of how the court system operates. Several minutes later I met Mr. Ippolito. Professional in appearance, kind smile and a calm demeanor set me at ease. He asked me what happened and took some notes. He answered in minutes, all of the questions that I spent hours desperately researching online. At this point I didn't even know the cost, but I was sure he was the one. I didn't have much funds saved, but luckily I managed to come in with a down payment and made monthly installments after. After following Mr. Ippolito's advice to engage in counseling, meetings, therapy, I had a better understanding of what to expect and how to cope with the consequences. He said I could be looking at six months to two years of jail time but was confident there are other options that might appease the court. The DA trying my case was demanding some jail time and wouldn't budge. After multiple court hearings, and after several meetings between both attorneys and the judge, I was sentenced to thirty days of community service and five months of house arrest. In the end, Mr. Ippolito isn't just there to stand next you in court. He creates opportunities to engage with the judge, where as the unrepresented parties are not skilled to. He knows what to say and more importantly, what not to say. During this process, we had three judges! That's three different personalities that my attorney had to work with. Keep in mind that the judges have heard it all and you are just one of many. Mr. Ippolito and VIB LAW help you stand out among the rest. Not only do you have him as your attorney, you are backed by his entire team (Irlanda is a life saver)! Although I have no intention of needing a criminal defense attorney in the future, it's a relief knowing that Mr. Ippolito is there for me if I need him. Thank you Mr. Ippolito, I couldn't have done it without you!

Mr. Ippolito has done so much to help me and save my livelihood/family. I've had several alcohol related incidents: 3 DUI (within 10 years), and 3 DIP. The minimum for 3rd offense in California is 6 months in jail. In that case, Mr. Ippolito recommended that I go stay in a sober house, be tested r...egularly for sobriety, and to go to AA meetings. At the end of 5 months of that, Mr. Ippolito asked that I be sentenced to some 6 more months in that house, instead of going to jail, so I could continue to support my family. At the time, 2008, in Santa Clara County, this was UNPRECEDENTED because the TSA/approved program housing had been shut down! I was able to go a private one of my choosing. He lobbied hard, cited jail overcrowding, got AA/sober living house people to write up recommendations for me. If I had gone to jail, I would have lost my very valuable tech job, and probably would have been permanently scarred from that. And that was just one of the times he helped me. He has gotten all of my DIP cases dismissed without my even showing up, though I do have to work hard on my sobriety and getting meeting slips signed. I always mean/want to be sober, but it doesn't always work out, and then I'm in trouble, because I'm alcoholic. The other two DUI's, he got me the minimum weekend work, and I was able again to save my job, and maintain split custody of my children. He worked hard to get me the weekend work program schedule that matched my custody agreement, because my ex refused to budge from that agreement. Lastly, stemming from an overreaching and mostly bogus probation violation, I was arrested for probation violation. Riccardo stood up for me again, and got the minimum sentence: weekend work only. Without him, I probably wouldn't be at a computer typing you. I continue to have a very good job in tech because of him. More than that he has continued to encourage me to attend AA, and get my life together so I don't need him so often. He saved me.

Having had Riccardo represent me in a recent DUI Trial was great. It was a very “tricky” case, he and his staff (a special thanks to Irlanda) were there every step of the way. I feel I could not have had selected a better Firm and group of professionals to represent me. I am very happy with the amoun...t and quality of the work they did. I highly recommend the VIB Law firm to anyone seeking great defense attorneys and supportive staff. Thanks so much!!!