Representing agency defense and concerned plaintiff clients since 1991. Referred to by attorney clients as "the expert's expert." A 90% case WIN ratio with over $97 Million saved defending agencies and over $12 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, Inc., 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, law enforcement negligence; as well as civilian self defense, security, forseeable harm and insurance cases.
Dr. Ron Martinelli
Ron Martinelli, Ph.D., B.C.F.T., C.L.S., 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 is also a Board Certified Expert in Forensic Traumatology and a Certified Litigation Specialist in Police Practices.
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.
Board Certified in Forensic Traumatology, NCCM, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Diplomate, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
Certified Litigation Specialist - Police Practices & Corrections, AELE
Advaned Law Enforcement Certificate (CA-POST)
Instructor Credential (College/Univ) LIFE, Police Science, Admin. of Justice, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Psychology, Forensic Science, Corrections
Professor of Forensic Science, Masters Program - National Univ., San Diego
Professor of Forensic Psychology, Masters Program - Argosy Univ., SF Bay Area
Instructor, Excited/Agitated Delirium, Institute for Prevention of In-Custody Death
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,
Calif. District Attorneys Association
International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association,
National Center for Crisis Management,
American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress,
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
The Navy League
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,
Professor: Forensic Science (Post-Graduate Masters Level)
Professor: Forensic Psychology (Post Graduate Masters Level)
Adjunct Professor: Criminology (Post Graduate Masters, Undergraduate Levels)
Instructor: Police Science, Admin. Justice, Criminology, Forensics, Corrections
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 (all levels and weapnry), chemical agents, Taser, officer safety, criminal investigations, crime scene investigations, Officer-Involved Shooting investigations, search & seizure, laws of arrest, search warrants, street gangs, narcotics investigations, firearms, law enforcement training & liability, laws of arrest, search & seizure, traumatic stress, psycho-physiology of stress, Administrative/Internal Affairs investigations, CA Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS)
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: 35%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 65%
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: I am desposed on a regular basis in Federal and State Court litigation cases.
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: Numerous. I have never failed to be certified as an expert by the courts.
I testify in Federal and State Courts on a regular basis.
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Numerous. I testify in Federal/State Courts on a regular basis.
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 1975 - 1992 as a law enforcement officer/detective expert.
1992 - Present as a law enforcement practices/forensic expert in private practice.
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 8 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 $4,000 of which $1,500 may be refundable if the case settles early.
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): $350/hr.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Minimum deposition fee: $1,400 for 4 hours (min.)
$350/hour after the first four hours.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Daily rate: (Court or scene): $2,800/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...
"In my 34 years as a trial attorney, seldom have I encountered such a consumate professional as Dr. Ron Martinelli. He combines the best attributes of a forensic consultant and expert witness. Dr. Martinelli is a pleasure to work with and is a great source of knowledge and experience on all issues relating to law enforcement.
"Dr. Martinelli has a rare knack of explaining difficult concepts in an easy to understand way. He has mastered the art of gentle persuasion with both judges and juries. Dr. Martinelli is owed much credit for the success my law enforcement clients have enjoyed in the civil rights arena."
Justus Spillner
Senior Equity Partner
McCormick,Barstow,Caruthers,Waite, LLP
Fresno, CA
Elected Member ABOTA, 20 Years
"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
"Thank you for your assistance in successfully defending the Azam lawsuit. The case was probably more difficult than most due to the plaintiff's attorneys and their oppressive document demands. I appreciated your expertise and your ability to work through the difficult issues. You presented very well at trial, and the jury commented favorably. Thank you again and I look forward to working with you in the future."
Monika L. Cooper
Deputy County Counsel
Contra Costa County Cousel's Office
Contra Costa County, CA
"During a very difficult case involving intimidation and manipluation by public officials in a Bay Area county that resulted in my wife and I suing for civil rights violations, Dr. Ron Martinelli provided my family and I with the professionalism, skill and information we needed to defend our civil rights.
"Not only did Dr. Martinelli diligently investigate complex details which immuninated the truth; but he also provided unwavering testimony that positioned that truth in irrefutable form. Dr. Martinelli's consultations with our attorney and his exceptional knowledge of the issues proved invaluable to our eventual successful navigation to seek justice in a situation which was both extradinory and appalling.
"Thank you Ron for defending our rights, allowing justice to prevail and curbing a serious case of the abuse of authority."
Michael & Tracy Toschi
Redwood City, CA
"Mr. Page and I wish to thank you for your very effective work during his case. It is my belief that your testimony was pivotal in obtaining jury verdicts of not guilty to the crimes of Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, on a self-defense theory.
"Your trial testimony was particularly effective as it was based upon studies related to the use of deadly force by police officers. You demonstrated that Mr. Page did react in the same manner as police officers when confronted with life threatening events. Your use of the physical evidence and facts to demonstrate our self-defense theory was very persuasive to the jury.
"I would be happy to retain your services again and have recommended your services to other practicioners in this area. You and your staff were a pleasure to work with."
David A. Hill, Esq.
Eugene, Oregon
