Legal Services & Lawyers

Ms. Benedict grew up in San Diego, California. Throughout her childhood and into her adult life, Ms. Benedict has been an avid athlete. Her passion for athletics has shaped Ms. Benedict's life and approach to the practice of law.

Ms. Benedict completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara and received her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

While Ms. Benedict was attending law school, she worked for the non-profit appellate law firm, Appellate Defenders, Inc. (ADI.) ADI administers the appointed counsel system in the Fourth Appellate District for indigent defendants on appeal. As a clerk at ADI, Ms. Benedict received extensive training in appellate brief writing. Upon graduating from law school, Ms. Benedict stayed on at ADI as a staff attorney. During her time as a staff attorney at ADI, Ms. Benedict represented in excess of 100 clients on appeal and presented numerous arguments at the Court of Appeal and three appearances at the California Supreme Court. Additionally, Ms. Benedict supervised the work of other appellate practitioners appointed to represent defendants on appeal.

In the summer of 2005, Ms. Benedict opened her own private practice. The focus of Ms. Benedict's practice remains appellate representation, both civil and criminal, as well as providing legal research and writing services to trial attorneys. However, Ms. Benedict's passion for athletes and her joy of cycling, led to the deveoplement of a niche practice of representing cyclists who have been injured.

For over three decades, I have been helping individuals charged with serious crimes. I have prosecuted and defended thousands of adults and juveniles charged with every type of felony and misdemeanor crime. Specializing in the field of criminal law, I am a recognized expert in Drunk Driving, Addiction-related offenses and Juvenile Law.

Michael P. Ehline, is a former California Court of Appeal Judicial Extern. Michael Ehline "read" for the law in a law office and judge's chambers on the California State Bar Law Office Study Program, passing the California State Bar Exam with no college degree or law degree. This is similar to how President Abraham Lincoln and many other famous lawyers got their start.

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.

John Runfolaâs Specialties:
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

For more information : http://www.johnrunfola.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.

Dedicated to Criminal Defense in the San Francisco Bay Area

- I Can Help -
I represent those accused of State and Federal felonies and misdemeanors. Including, Domestic Violence, Drug Offenses, Mortgage Fraud, Credit/Check Fraud, Embezzlement, Sexual Assault, Sex Offenses, Weapons Offenses, Burglary, Robbery and Theft, Probation Violations, Strike Offenses, Computer Crimes, White-collar Crimes, and Business and Professions Code violations.


- Everyone Deserves Respect -
Criminal accusations can be devastating to your personal and professional life - know and understand your rights. I provide aggressive and quality representation at every stage of the process. The criminal justice system is intimidating and overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with it. I take the mystery out of the process and ensure you understand your options so you can make informed decisions. I make sure the prosecution understands that you are member of the community and not just another body in the criminal justice system.


- Clear Your Record -
Criminal convictions can have consequences that affect your immigration status, right to vote, own firearms, obtain or renew professional licenses, or travel outside of the United States. You can petition the Court to relieve you of some or all of the penalties of your conviction. I handle expungements, certificates of rehabilitation, requests for pardon, and motions to seal and destroy records.

Practicing as a criminal trial attorney since 1987. Handles all serious and violent feloney cases. Has lengthy experience with special circumstance homicides, Three Strike Cases and mental defenses.

Former Captain, Military Intelligence,United States Army Reserve