Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
Crimes by Code
Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
California DUI
DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. Visit our California DUI page to learn more.
Post Conviction
A criminal record can affect job, immigration, licensing and even housing opportunities. In this section, we offer solutions for clearing up your prior record.
24/7 Help:
(855) 999-7755
Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. We do not handle any of the following cases:
And we do not handle any cases outside of California.
Call Us NowTop-notch criminal defense attorney for all San Bernardino and Riverside County courthouses, including the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center, Banning, Fontana, Joshua Tree, Barstow, and Victorville.
San Bernardino County criminal defense attorney Michael Scafiddi enjoys an ideal background for defending those accused of crimes: He is a former police officer and police sergeant. Attorney Scafiddi uses the real-life experience and insight he gained in law enforcement now to serve his criminal defense clients.
As a police officer, Mr. Scafiddi investigated a wide range of criminal cases from false 236 PC false imprisonment DUI to 148 PC resisting arrest to 261 PC Rape to robbery to carjacking. He gained a reputation as a straightforward and honest yet relentless crime-solver.
Now as a San Bernardino criminal defense lawyer, Mr. Scafiddi brings the same tenacity and street-smarts to the task of assisting clients charged with crimes. Knowing how the police put together criminal cases, he is better able to devise strategies to fight the cases.
Criminal defense lawyer Scafiddi also enjoys a great rapport with people throughout the court system. He is on a first-name basis with many of the judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and police detectives throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Michael Scafiddi (Of Counsel) San Bernardino & Riverside criminal defense attorney. Mr. Scafiddi is president of the San Bernardino County Bar Association and a former Ontario CA police officer and police sergeant. As a police officer, he investigated almost every crime on the books, from DUI to robbery to domestic violence to murder.
Education
John Jay High School – Graduated June 1976
Brooklyn College – September 1976 thru June 1978
Chaffey College – Associate Science Degree – June 1991
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy – April 1980
California Southern Law School – Bachelors of Science in Law – June 1995
California Southern Law School – Juris Doctor – June 1996
SPECIAL COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
Juvenile Law Institute (eight-hour MCLE seminar WIC 602/300 January 2004)
Juvenile Institute Seminar (WIC 602/300 MCLE – Jan 2002)
60 hours of mandatory continuing law education since 2000
California College – Advanced Techniques in Collision Reconstruction
Rio Hondo College Special Weapons and Tactics
Department of Justice, Certificate of Training – Street Gang Activity
Department of Justice Certificate of Training – Prison Gang Activity
Department of Justice Certificate of Training – Narcotic Enforcement for Police Officers
Chaffey College Advanced Officer Training Certificate
Rio Hondo College Ethnic Relations/Gangs
CGIA-Certificate of Training Street Gang Investigations
National Law Enforcement Institute Gang Seminar
Clandestine Lab Seminar
Police Officers Standards and Training Police Supervisor School
Police Officers Standards and Training Police Management School
Over 100 hours of Special Instruction MCLE’s on Criminal Defense and DUI matters (Additional classes attended too numerous to list)
EMPLOYMENT
President Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi, Inc. |
February 2003-present |
Owner Law Offices of Michael A. Scafiddi San Bernardino, Ca |
1997-2003 |
Of Counsel Law Offices of William D. Shapiro San Bernardino, CA |
1997-2003 |
Owner Scafiddi Investigations San Bernardino, CA |
1992-present |
Police Sergeant Banning Police Department 1988-1992 Hired in April 1988 as Police Corporal. Served multiple positions with Department including Gang Liaison Officer, Reserve Coordinator. Promoted to Sergeant in September 1989. Retired with a knee injury in November 1992 with full honors and C.C. W. Permit |
1988-1992 |
Traffic School Instructor Pacific Seminar Traffic School Walnut Creek, CA |
1989-1993 |
Senior Investigator Acme Investigations San Bernardino, CA |
1987-1988 |
Police Officer II Ontario Police Department Ontario, CA Hired in January 1980 as a Police Officer. Served numerous positions with Department including Gang Officer, Officer “Ollie” puppet show, Training Officer, Traffic Officer. Promoted to Police Officer II in January 1987. |
1980-1987 |
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Past Program Coordinator for the delinquency program at the University California Riverside, extension program, Department of Law and Public Policy.
Past Guest Instructor at the University California Riverside, extension program, Law and Public Policy seminars, introduction to personal injury.
Current Co-chair Person, San Bernardino County Bar Association’s criminal law section.
Current Member California State Bar Association
Past Member Consumer Attorneys of California
Current Member San Bernardino County Bar Association
Current Executive Officer San Bernardino County Bar Association (President-elect 2007)
Current Member Retired Police Officers Research Association of California (RPORAC)
Past President Banning Police Officers Association-1989-1990
Past Vice-President Banning Police Officers Association-1988-1989
Past Member West End Gang Investigators Association
Past Member Inland Empire Gang Investigators Association
Past Member California Prison Gang Task Force
Past Member California Gang Investigators Association
Past Member Police Officers Research Association of California (Porac)
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES
California State Bar #188567
Police Officers Standards and Training Basic Certificate #19440
Police Officers Standards and Training Intermediate Certificate #20987
Police Officers Standards and Training Advanced Certificate #29566
Police Officers Standards and Training Supervisory Certificate #S14826
Traffic School Instructors License #TV 103 501
Private Investigator, California License #AA 012758
AWARDS
Life Saving Award, Ontario Police Department
Officer of the Year, Banning Police Department
California Southern Law School Scholastic Achievement Award Commercial Law
California Southern Law School Scholastic Achievement Award Wills
California Southern Law School Scholastic Achievement Award Real Property
California Southern Law School Scholastic Achievement Award Trusts
EXPERTISE
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Board of Directors – San Bernardino County Bar Association-2004 to current (President-elect 2007)
Board of Directors – Cedar House-January 2005 to current (first Vice- President 2006-2007)
School Board Member – Aquinas High School, San Bernardino, CA – 2002 to present
Current Vice President Board of Directors San Bernardino County Legal Aid
Society – 1999 to present
Manager Highland Girls Softball League – 1997
Coach Highland Little League – 1996 – 1997
Head Coach St. Adelaide’s School JV Basketball – 1996-2000
Head coach St. Adelaide’s Varsity Basketball – 2000-2002
Head Coach St. Adelaide’s Junior Varsity Football – 1996-2000
Head Coach St. Adelaide’s Varsity Football – 2000-2002
INTERNSHIPS
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE
September 1995 to February 1996
CHINO OFFICE
Duties: Prepare Violation of Probation Complaints, appeared in court and handled felony preliminary hearing and PC 1000 (drug diversion) hearings.
REFERENCES
Garza, Garza & Pacheco 290 North “D” Street, Suite 901 (Florentino Garza, Esq.) San Bernardino, CA 92401 (909) 888-1733
Honorable Douglas E. Weathers, Esq. 4050 Main Street Judge Riverside County Superior Court Riverside, CA 92501 (951) 955-1960
Law Offices of William D. Shapiro 432 North Arrowhead Avenue (William D. Shapiro, Esq.) San Bernardino, CA 92401 (909) 888-0102