Representing agency defense and concerned plaintiff clients since 1991. Referred to by attorney clients as "the expert's expert." A 94% case WIN ratio with over $22 Million saved defending agencies and over $10 Million recovered for plaintiff's since 2004 alone. Federal/State Courts Certified Police Practices Expert for 4th, 8th and 14th Amendment litigation.
Dr. Ron Martinelli is a former Criminal Justice Training Center Director and current Police/Corrections practices, criminal investigations and Use of Force Instructor with a unique combination of extensive field experience and academic credentials that attorneys, judges and juries appreciate and commend.
“A Search for the Truth”
Whether you are in the business of defending peace officers and law enforcement agencies, or litigating on behalf of an injured client, having an experienced police practices expert, legal consultant and trial specialist working for you can make the difference between winning and losing your important cases.
Martinelli & Associates: Forensic Consultants, LLC, has been a recognized criminal justice and legal consulting firm since 1980. We provide attorneys and municipalities with superior consulting and expert witness services in the fields of law enforcement practices, liability, negligence, litigation, criminal prosecution and criminal defense.
We specialize in civil litigation cases involving 4th and 8th Amendment issues: arrests, search & seizure, use of force/excessive force (all levels and weaponry); officer-involved shootings (OIS), in-custody deaths; criminal investigations, police practices, training, supervision; adult & juvenile corrections and law enforcement negligence.
Dr. Ron Martinelli
Ron Martinelli, Ph.D., serves as our firm’s chief legal consultant, police practices expert and trial specialist. Dr. Martinelli has an impressive and diverse law enforcement background in police, corrections, probation and private security practices and training. He is an experienced police practices expert certified in Federal and State Courts and is skilled in incident reconstruction, evidence gathering, discovery and forensic legal analysis.
Dr. Martinelli has an excellent track record of successfully representing law enforcement agencies and civilian plaintiff clients during all stages of litigation. He is an articulate legal declaration and briefs author with a unique mixture of significant field experience and academic credentials that judges and juries find impressive.
Recognized and respected by attorneys, judges and his expert witness peers as an impartial and ethical fact finder, Dr. Martinelli has had significant experience representing advocates from civil defense, plaintiff, prosecution and criminal defense positions.
Martinelli & Associates can guide you through the complex and often frustrating discovery process and assist you with developing the proper complaint, document productions, interrogatories, responses and deposition questions. Our experts are fluent in the case laws relating to your defense or allegations and can explain various aspects of trial strategy that would most appeal to judges and juries.
Our Services Include:
A thorough outline of the strength and weaknesses of both sides of your case.
Incident reconstruction, witness interviews, evidence gathering and analysis.
A forensic legal analysis of the procedures, practices, policies and tactics used by the law enforcement agency and officers involved to determine reasonableness and legality.
Trial preparation and assistance in focusing discovery and evidence.
The testimony of a recognized and experienced expert to confirm findings to support your position.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: Ph.D., Doctorate Degree, Criminology
MPA/JA Masters Degree, Public & Justice Admin.
Advaned Law Enforcement Certificate (CA-POST)
Instructor Credential (College/Univ) LIFE, Police Science, Admin. of Justice, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Psychology
Law Enforcement Instructor: Use of Force (All Levels)
Law Enforcement Instructor: Laws of Arest, Search & Seizure, Criminal Investigations
(Ask for resume for list of all certifications)
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Calif. District Attorneys Association,
Calif. Police Academy Directors Association,
American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers,
International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association,
International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors,Police Marksman Association,
National Rifle Association Law Enforcement Activity Division,
Calif. Assoc. of Police Training Officers,
Calif. Probation, Parole & Corrections Assoc.,
Calif. Gang Investigator's Assoc.,
American Society for Police & Criminal Psychologists,
U.S. Navy UDT/SEAL Association
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Former Director: Criminal Justice Training Center & Basic Police, Sheriff & Corrections Academy,
Associate Professor: Forensic Psychology,
Adjunct Professor: Criminology
Instructor: Police Science, Admin. Justice, Criminology, Forensics.
Extensive Police Academy, college and university teaching and directing since 1978.
(Ask for resume for complete list of assignments)
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: NO
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Have testified in Federal/State courts over 500 times in various areas of expertise. Certified in Federal and State Courts as an expert in: police and law enforcement practices, corrections, Use of Force/Excessive Force, criminal investigations, street gangs, narcotics investigations, firearms, law enforcement training & liability, laws of arrest, search & seizure.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: All of the areas listed in my profile.
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 30%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 70%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Numerous.
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: July, 2007
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Numerous. Have never failed to be certified as an expert by the courts.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Numerous.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Since 1978
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: My firm provides complete forensic and expert witness services. We have 10 forensic experts.
My personal services include complete case review, writing forensic legal reports for Federal/State Courts, writing Requests for Production of Documents, assisting in complaint development, trial strategy, witness interviews, incident scene reconstruction, etc.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Initial retainer (non-refundable: $2,500
Attorney Consultation: $350/hour
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Report review/report writing: $250/hour
Expedited report writing (within 7 days): $300/hr.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Minimum deposition fee: $1400 for 4 hours (min.)
$350/hour after first four hours.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Daily rate: (Court or scene): $2,500/day
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Ask for a copy of our Services Agreement. Expenses as incurred.
References
For complete list of references, please contact Martinelli & Associates.Testimonials...
"As a former prosecutor with a great deal of experience presenting law
enforcement witnesses to juries, I felt Dr. Martinelli's trial testimony was
perhaps the most compelling I have ever presented. Having interviewed
the jury following the favorable verdict, I was able to confirm my belief
directly with those that matter most.
Dr. Martinelli's incredibly strong law enforcement training and background,
combined with his ability to testify in both an authoritative and understandable
manner, creates a strong incentive for the opposition to capitulate and settle
the case on favorable terms."
Mark W. Epstein
Seiler Epstein Ziegler & Applegate LLP
San Francisco, CA
"Dr. Martinelli's assistance as a police practices and Use of Force expert in both
incident reconstruction and in testifying in court were instrumental in the jury's
decision to dismiss the civil suit against my partner and I for alleged excessive force."
Dep. Mike Rodriquez
Sheriff's Department
San Benito County, CA
"Dr. Ron Martinelli is the police practices experts' expert. He is uniquely
experienced, articulate and understandable to judges and jurors. Dr. Martinelli
possesses a wealth of knowledge, is highly skilled, always dependable and
consistently delivers the goods for his attorney clients."
Michael P. Stone & Steve Horvath, Attorneys
Law Offices of Michael P. Stone, PC
Pasadena, CA
"Your expert testimony in deposition along with your outstanding forensic analysis supporting our deputies' actions were instrumental in the Court granting summary judgment in our recent in-custody death case. I will highly reccomend you to other County Counsels seeking a skilled and experienced expert."
Janet Holmes, Deputy County Counsel
Contra Costa County Counsel's Office
Contra Costa County, CA
"Thank you for the excellent, professional consultation and testimony you provided in our Federal Court excessive force allegations case involving our Los Angeles Airport Police officers. Your testimony before the jury clearly established that our officers acted appropriately during the incident. Your fine work was responsible for us winning our case."
Doug Knoll, Esq.
Law Offices
Redondo Beach, CA
