| Attorney Profile - John C. Lemon |
 Since graduating from law school in 1994, Mr. Lemon has dedicated his practice of law to the representation of the accused. First working exclusively for indigent defendants as a Deputy Public Defender in San Diego County, then as a trial attorney at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., he now maintains his criminal defense practice through The Law Offices of John C. Lemon, APC. |
| Mr. Lemon has handled a broad range of serious felony cases in both federal and state courts, including capital murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery. He also has extensive experience defending large and complex conspiracy indictments alleging racketeering, bank and wire fraud, money laundering, narcotics trafficking (including marijuana cultivation), and alien smuggling. |
| The federal trial courts are perhaps the most challenging venue for anyone unfortunate enough to be accused of a crime. The prosecution enjoys the vast resources of the federal government, conservative jury pools, and, in many cases, the weight of the evidence. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in 2005, 90% of federal cases resulted in convictions, 9% in dismissals and only 1% in acquittals. |
| But Mr. Lemon has won acquittals and hung juries in many serious cases, including alien smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and murder. Since entering private practice in November 2006, he has won two complete acquittals and four hung juries (three resulting in dismissals and the fourth settling for a plea to a no-time misdemeanor) in federal felony trials. |
| In the summer of 2008, for example, Mr. Lemon tried a complex federal murder case involving an alleged prison gang. His client, who was facing a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole, was acquitted of all six felony counts – including first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and assault with intent to commit murder – and immediately released from federal prison. |
| Mr. Lemon also maintains an aggressive appellate and motions practice. He has successfully argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on several occasions and has won motions to suppress evidence at both the federal district court and state court level. Since November 2006, Mr. Lemon has won four reversals in the federal appeals court, three of which resulted in time-served sentences and the other in an outright dismissal. |
| Of course, not every client is best served by a jury trial. Accordingly, Mr. Lemon maintains a cogent and professional negotiating style to the benefit of all of his clients, many of whom receive favorable dispositions and even dismissals. |
| Mr. Lemon holds a B.A. in Letters with Distinction from the University of Oklahoma and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. He is certified as a Specialist in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the State Bar of California and the National Board of Trial Advocacy (an American Bar Association accredited organization). And he has been Peer Review Rated “AV” (the highest rating for legal ability) by Martindale-Hubbell, was awarded the “Super Lawyers” designation by Law & Politics’ in the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 editions of its publication, San Diego Super Lawyers, and was recognized as a “Top Attorney of 2009” by the San Diego Daily Transcript. |
| He is licensed to practice in the State of California, the Southern District of California, the Central District of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. |
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| Education |
Stanford Law School, J.D. -- 1994
University of Oklahoma
B.A. in Letters with Distinction
Phi Beta Kappa – 1990 |
| Experience |
San Diego County Office of the Public Defender (1994-1996)
Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (2001-2006) |
| Certification & Recognition |
Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Advocacy (State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, National Board of Trial Advocacy)
“AV” Peer Review Rated (Martindale-Hubbell)
Recognized in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 editions of San Diego Super Lawyers (Law & Politics)
Recognized in the San Diego Daily Transcript’s “Top Attorneys of 2009” |
| Admitted |
State Bar of California
Central District of California
Southern District of California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
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