Former San Francisco Assistant District Attorney; State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist
Superlawyers, San Francisco Magazine and many others have recognized Randy Knox as one of California's top criminal defense attorneys.
For over 20 years, Knox has been certified by the State Bar of California as a criminal law specialist, a distinction held by fewer than 400 of California's 175,000 active lawyers. As a former Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco, Knox is one of only six certified criminal law specialists who is also a former prosecutor.
Known and respected by judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement throughout California, Knox understands the dynamics of the criminal justice system and how to navigate the treacherous terrain you'll face if you're accused of a crime.
If you're charged with a crime (or being investigated about a crime), you need a lawyer you can trust and who understands your particular concerns. Even people who have never been arrested before can find themselves facing criminal charges because of bad judgment, financial problems, unexpected circumstances, mental health or substance abuse issues, mistaken identity or simply bad luck. Randy Knox can help them through the process and minimize the adverse consequences.
Deconstructing the prosecution's case through rigorous cross-examination and closing argument are his strengths. Former Superior Court Judge and United States Attorney Kevin Ryan once said that Knox had given "the best closing argument [he'd] ever heard."
Whether you're charged with murder or driving under the influence, embezzlement or shoplifting, white-collar crime or street crime, Knox brings the skills and experience that can make the difference between freedom and incarceration. His clientele has included professionals, business people, public officials and employees, corporations and municipalities.
In 2007, Knox defended Gus F., a manager at San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection, who was accused of 33 counts of bribery, perjury and fraud. After a nine-week jury trial, where Knox eviscerated the FBI's star witness, Gus was acquitted on the main charges. The prosecution dismissed the remaining charges shortly thereafter.
In 2008, Knox defended Larry B., a man accused of murdering his ex-wife's boyfriend. At trial, Knox successfully demonstrated that Larry killed the decedent in self-defense, resulting in a full acquittal. The trial judge later declared Larry factually innocent, completely clearing his record, an outcome unprecedented in California murder cases except in cases of mistaken identity.
Willie A. was a former San Jose Traffic Commissioner and a state-licensed security guard who was charged with impersonating a public official, perjury, fraud and over twenty other crimes. Willie was mentored by and worked with the late Jane Warner, a San Francisco Patrol Special Police Officer and a legend in San Francisco's LGBT community. Knox showed how the prosecution was improperly motivated and how the case had been overcharged. After a four-week trial in 2011, Willie was acquitted of the main charges and given probation.
In 2010, Davina S., a home care provider who had never been arrested, was accused of felony auto theft. After Knox demonstrated the inconsistencies and prejudices inherent in the officers' testimony, a jury found Davina not guilty.
Aquiles G. was accused of mayhem and aggravated assault on a man who had been harassing Aquiles' girlfriend in a local nightclub in 2008. By undermining the credibility of the alleged victim, Knox obtained an acquittal of mayhem and a hung jury on the other charges. Afterwards, all counts were dismissed.
Taxicab driver Yusef Oskui was charged with aggravated assault with great bodily injury on a woman he encountered during a traffic dispute. By showing how the alleged victim had exaggerated her injuries, Knox gained an acquittal on all felony counts. The remaining charges were dismissed.
Pat. G., a San Francisco hairdresser, was facing animal abuse charges on his pitbull puppy. Because Pat had previously been convicted of dogfighting, the prosecution sought a severe sentence. By skillful legal research and cross-examination of the prosecution's expert, Knox got Pat acquitted at trial.
Foia T. was an 18-year-old Samoan-American who helped his friends carjack another man at Serramonte Plaza. The man was later robbed and killed, resulting in Foai being charged with felony murder. The jury hung 11-1 for acquittal on murder and Foia later pled guilty to carjacking for a far shorter sentence.
Andreas F., an Italian national who was applying for U.S. citizenship, was arrested for driving under the influence after having dinner and drinks with a friend in Sausalito. Knox established for the jury how the breath testing equipment in Marin County was inaccurate, and the jury acquitted Andreas in 2010.
After hearing strange noises outside his apartment in Pacifica, Roy M., a licensed security guard, opened his apartment door holding a pistol and encountered a Pacifica Police Officer. The officer alleged that Roy brandished the pistol at him in a threatening manner. By destroying the officer's credibility, Knox secured an acquittal on all counts.
Even though he had been a gang member as a teenager, Adan K. was turning his life around when he was arrested outside his residence on a minor warrant. The arrest resulted in charges of resisting arrest and assault on an officer against Adan. By showing how the police improperly arrested Adan and slanted evidence, Knox got Adan acquitted at trial.
These and hundreds of other clients have been exonerated or had charges dismissed, reduced or settled because of Knox's thorough and vigorous representation. Few lawyers combine his trial experience and writing skills, honed by decades of trial experience and six years writing for the federal courts as a staff attorney or senor law clerk.
Knox has taught legal writing and trial advocacy at Hastings Law School and lectured on cross-examination and other topics at the Bench and Bar Conference for the Bar Association of San Francisco and at other legal education seminars.
When your future is at stake, you need a lawyer you can count on. Randy Knox is that lawyer.