Attorney Tony Serra Sentenced to Prison

Renowned attorney J. Tony Serra, convicted of his third federal tax violation in 21 years, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison today by a magistrate who praised his devotion to justice but said no one is above the law.

At a two-hour hearing in which a parade of Bay Area legal luminaries pleaded for leniency, U.S. Magistrate Joseph Spero agreed that Serra was a rarity -- a lawyer who has spent his life representing the downtrodden, usually for free -- but also noted that he hadn?t complied with the federal income tax laws for at least two decades.

"You're not an exception to the rule of law," Spero said. With a federal prosecutor's agreement, he allowed Serra to remain free until Jan. 30 to accommodate his trial schedule, and recommended confinement at the minimum-security federal prison camp in Lompoc.

He ordered Serra to pay $100,000 in restitution to the government after his release. The prison term was the minimum recommended by federal sentencing guidelines.

A friend of mine once attended a criminal defense conference at which Serra spoke while wearing a t-shirt that said "Fuck The Police." Details of Mr. Serra's sentencing are here from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Comments

[tim]

evil flourishes when good people do nothing

[True Justice]

Go Tony, the last of a dying breed who actually cared about something larger than themselves.

[Don deNeveu]

In the 70's the offices of Rohan and Stepanian took care of our entertainment law needs.in San Fran. There was a club in the warehouse district that we would try new material. Not a house to disturb for many blocks and word of mouth would PACK the place wall to wall, elbow to elbow and "Nuts to Butts". This was the early 70's and Aids hadn't arrived but the Sexual Revolution had. One night the local cops arrested me (the manager of the bands) for "noise ordinance violations". Translation: The bar owner had neglected to pay these 2 cops their weekly $250 . They pulled the plug and cuffed me for show until we could work things out. Unfortunately a lovely lass who that evening agreed we should fall in love for the weekend followed us to the cruiser raising all kinds of hell. Great spirit but it caused them to actually take me to jail and book me for the aggravation. For weeks we tried to get this resolved but it was Tony Serra who came to my aid and the next day informed me to forget about it. He solved a pain in the ass problem with a phoine call to a judge for the satisfaction of that small contribution to real justice. Murder or jaywalking, if you were getting screwed he seemed to always want to help. Bummed when I saw that he had to do some time, but don't you know the inmates at Lompoc have one of the great minds of law and juctice just a cell or two away. Bless you, Tony. You are truly the real fuckin' deal. My thoughts are with you . Its been 30 years since that event---or was it just yesterday.If Karma were gold then youare the richest man onplanet Earth. Good Luck.

Don deNeveudondeneveu@yahoo.com

[lovelaw]

I met Tony Serra at the Ted Binion murder trial, in which he defended Rick Tabish. I watched him work his magic for a solid week. It is, and always will be, a highlight of my life. He posed with me for a picture. It remains a prized possession of mine. He is a rare breed indeed. A true defendant's defender. He doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk. If Tony Serra says he can "do 10 months standing on my head", then HE CAN DO 10 MONTHS STANDING ON HIS HEAD!! I'll be thinking of you Mr. Serra.

~~May the wind be always at your back~~Lovelaw

[Scott R. Mason]

I had a brush with the law in downtown San Francisco many years ago, so I went to his Law Office as a scared puppy, with no clue about how to proceed. I guess he heard me explaining my situation to his legal aide and came out of his office, put his arm around me and said "we're going to get you out of this." And he did.When we walked into court, I'll never forget when the judge asked "why Mr. Serra, what we owe to have you in this court today ?" He replied, "I had a federal case thrown out, so this is how i spend my free time." The D.A. and the undercover officers just shook their heads and asked for me to attend & complete a diversion program. Which I did, successfully.When I recently read of his being sentenced to prison, I was truly saddened. What a waste in time & effort of our legal system. He is a good man who does a lot of good for people who can't "buy" their way out of unjust situations.Be strong Tony.Sincerely, Scott R. Mason

[Ralph Burns]

Hi Tony: I just happened to come across your nameand I took a chance and E-Mailed you..We playedtogether on Bob Jacobs team with Mitchell Francis,and Neuman and most I can't remember..You were atLincoln & I was at Sacred Heart...Why don't youattend one of the Oldtimer meetings at the IrishCultural Society on Sloat..The 2nd Tuesday ofevery month, Starts about 7PM...Take care Red Burns

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