About James L Riotto

Serving Monroe County, Ontario County, Orleans County, Livingston County, Wayne County and Genesee County

James L. Riotto is a lawyer in Rochester who has an impressive law enforcement background combined with substantial criminal defense experience. His extensive experience as a state trooper and within law enforcement and criminal prosecution has provided him with a unique perspective that sets him apart from other Rochester criminal defense attorneys. Clients get the benefit of an attorney with a clear understanding of both sides of their legal issues.


State and federal law enforcement experience

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Riotto graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in Glynco, Georgia with honors, and subsequently took positions as an officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and then with the New York State Department of Corrections. After being certified as a New York State Police Officer at the University Police Department at SUNY Oswego, in 2000 he became a New York State Trooper specializing in criminal investigations, traffic enforcement and DWI.

Mr. Riotto’s education and experience provide him with detailed knowledge of the various systems, policies and procedures utilized by New York and federal law enforcement agencies. As a New York State Certified Instructor, he educated New York police recruits before deciding to use his experience to pursue a career in the legal field.


Legal background in criminal prosecution and defense

Mr. Riotto began his legal career by completing internships with state, city, county and federal judges in New York. In those positions, he researched various civil and criminal issues and assisted with drafting judicial opinions. During law school, he worked at the New York State Liquor Authority, where he reviewed investigative reports, Alcohol Beverage Control ("ABC") violations and liquor license applications, and helped decide whether to approve or deny the applications.

Before beginning his practice as a Rochester criminal defense attorney, Mr. Riotto took a position with the New York State Attorney General's Office, Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, where he researched investigations, drafted criminal charges and assisted in many high-profile criminal investigations into state agencies, including the New York State Police. Mr. Riotto went on to work at the Albany County District Attorney's Office, Major Offense Bureau, where he contributed to prosecuting several felony criminal matters, including DWI offenses.

In 2008, Mr. Riotto received the Daniel S. Dwyer Fellowship Stop DWI Award, established in 2001 and awarded to a law student to assist in the prosecution of DWI cases. The fellowship recipient must have achieved superior academic standing and have demonstrated an interest in criminal law. As a Rochester DWI attorney, he is able to utilize the experience he gained in that role.

 

Awards

Reviews for James

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Overall Rating
Showing 1-10 of 79 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
91%
4 stars
6%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.9
Quality of Service
4.9
Responsiveness
4.9
Value for Money
4.8
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
April 27, 2015
Hired Attorney

My husband received three tickets when pulled over for a non-operating tail light. Included in the tickets was a felony for operating a vehicle with a suspended license. They handcuffed my husband and took him to the precinct. THANK GOD they did not have him remain there until his court date. (Background: My husband and I made payments to reinstate his license before this incident. We assumed things were well after the payments were made and thought we did not owe anything else.turns out we were wrong.)
We were given the “run around” when we called DMV to see how much was owed and how to complete the process and reinstate my husbands license. I began to seek advice on line regarding the felony charge against my husband. I came across the Law Office of Jim Riotto in addition to other law offices. Jim Riotto’s website spoke of his expertise in various areas. He knew about suspensions of license and the process to reinstate an individual’s license. I was excited to read the reviews of others and thought maybe he could help. I connected with his office and spoke with him concerning the matter. He was honest and informed us of the process of how things would proceed. He and his team made necessary calls and informed us of the exact amount we were to pay, the department to make payments to and how to make the payments. After making the payments my husband is now a legal driver in New York State.
Mr. Riotto spoke with the prosecutor and enabled my husband to receive a deal of which the felony charges were dismissed and my husband is to pay a fine.
Mr. Riotto and his office provided us with support and guidance seen as though neither I nor my husband dealt with such matters before.
Both my husband and I are thankful for the service that was provided. We highly recommend Mr. Riotto and his law firm to anyone facing legal issues. His fees are great and he works with you if you are unable to make a one-time payment in full. Mr. Riotto HELPS TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.
A special thanks to Mr. Riotto and Ms. Lindsay Pieper. They were patient with me even though I had multiply questions and concerns throughout the process. Thank you also to Mr. Dave Wade for stepping in last minute to attend our last court appointment with us.

 
Constitutional Law
Posted by anonymous
April 24, 2015
Hired Attorney

Mr. Riotto did an excellent job at representing me for a pistol permit denial. He walked me through the hearings and appeal to have it rightfully overturned and approved. Excellent quality service from Mr. Riotto and his paralegal, Lindsey, for a fair price. I'd highly recommend his services.

Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
April 15, 2015
Hired Attorney

On behalf of my son and my family, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the professionalism, decency, understanding, thoroughness and utmost peace you afforded us during my son’s recent brush with the law, and his requirement that he appear in court to answer to inarguable charges of various traffic infractions, at least one of them serious. Your office’s counsel and command of the legal process from start to finish w

 
General Practice
Posted by anonymous
April 09, 2015
Hired Attorney

Excellent service...so pleased with the outcome, the caring, and the fair price. I highly recommend... God forbid, but if I EVER need an attorney again, I will be calling him again!

Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
March 21, 2015
Hired Attorney

After receiving a traffic citation that I thought there would be no resolution I was unsure what to do. Pay the fine and take the hit? Someone suggested I contact a lawyer. I was fortunate to find James Riotto. After my first conversation with him it was clear I was in capable hands. He was very professional and communication was excellent. Never once did I have to worry about my case. He exceeded my expectations in all aspects. I would highly recommend him for anyone in need of his service.

 
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
March 01, 2015
Hired Attorney

Mr. Riotto was recommended by a very reliable source in the community as a criminal defense Lawyer who is unrivaled for his professionalism and competency. I was impressed with his staff from the first conversation until the last. What I found striking is their ability to communicate the expected outcome without misleading me with unrealistic expectations. I found their rates to be unexpectedly fair for the amount of work they poured into my case.

 
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
January 04, 2015
Hired Attorney

I live in Virginia and my daughter goes to college in Rochester. She was involved in a traffic accident and received a citation. I felt she needed legal representation, so I was fortunate to find Mr. Riotto through a Google search. Mr. Riotto could not have been any more responsive and my daughter's citation was resolved very favorably. If you need legal representation in the Rochester area, I highly recommend Mr. Riotto.

 
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
December 18, 2014
Hired Attorney

I was traveling from my home in Michigan through Rochester to Boston. I got a ticket for speeding near Rochester which I thought was undeserved. I called the Law Offices of James Riotto and was walked through the process or handling the ticket and what to expect. Mr. Riotto called me with the results and I was very happy. He and his staff were always friendly, informative, and very responsive. I made the right choice and wouldn't hesitate to use him again.

 
Criminal Law
Posted by anonymous
December 12, 2014
Hired Attorney

Mr. Riotto was the first attorney to show up in an online search of available attorneys in Monroe County, and there's no surprise why. From what I saw, Mr. Riotto was highly qualified and more than capable to handle anything I might need him for. I did a little bit more searching, but it was clear that Mr. Riotto was the best attorney in the area. Mr. Riotto could not have done a better job. I am highly pleased with his level of skill, and I will not hesitate to contact him again.

 
General Practice
Posted by anonymous
October 21, 2014
Hired Attorney

Mr. Riotto is an excellent attorney. He is knowledgeable and extremely professional. He and his staff always made themselves available to answer any of my questions and/or concerns in regards to my speeding ticket. I will recommend his law office to anyone who finds themselves in need of their services. Thank you Mr. Riotto and Staff! Job well done!

 

Services

Areas of Law

  • General Practice
  • Criminal Law 6
    • Drug Crimes
    • Federal Criminal Law
    • Homicide
    • Sex Crimes
    • Weapons Charges
    • Theft
  • White Collar Crime
  • Other 28
    • College Student Criminal Defense
    • DWI/DUI
    • Traffic Offenses
    • Parole and Probation Violations
    • Drug-Related Crimes
    • Felony Cases
    • Drug Trafficking
    • Criminal Conspiracy
    • White Collar Fraud
    • Murder
    • Manslaughter
    • Mail Fraud
    • Wire Fraud
    • Money Laundering
    • Driving While Intoxicated
    • Vehicular Homicide
    • Sexual Assault
    • Burglary
    • Assault and Battery
    • Extortion
    • Embezzlement
    • Forgery
    • Wiretapping
    • Search and Seizure
    • Electronic Surveillance
    • Criminal Defense
    • White Collar Criminal Defense
    • Grand Jury Practice

Practice Details

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2016, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
    2011, New York
    2011, U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
    2012, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
    Memberships
    New York State Bar Association
    Monroe County Bar Association
    New York State Defender's Association
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Albany Law School
    J.D.
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1968
    1968

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    James L Riotto was admitted in 2011 to the State of New York.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, James L Riotto has a 4.5 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, James L Riotto will accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    The Law Office of James L. Riotto has 2 attorneys at this location.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    The Law Office of James L. Riotto was established in 2011.