Judge Griffin M. J. Bonini

Judge Griffin M. J. Bonini sits at the Downtown Superior Court in Santa Clara County and has documented experience presiding over serious felony criminal matters, including high-profile murder trials. The available record establishes that Judge Bonini handled the 2017 Cody Flores murder trial, a multi-defendant case that resulted in a split verdict — Benoit was found guilty while co-defendant Smith was found not guilty. This outcome reflects a proceeding in which individualized assessment of each defendant's culpability was central to the jury's deliberations under Judge Bonini's management. Judge Bonini also presided over proceedings connected to the 'Miss Flo' killing in San Jose, including matters arising from a December 2017 grand jury indictment that led to additional charges. These two documented matters establish Judge Bonini's familiarity with complex, multi-defendant homicide prosecutions and grand jury-initiated charging processes in Santa Clara County. Beyond these specific cases, no ruling analyses, attorney observations, or additional biographical data are available in the current dataset. Attorneys should treat the insights below as grounded in a limited but verified factual record, and conduct independent research to supplement this profile before appearing before this judge.

The available data establishes that Judge Bonini has presided over serious felony criminal matters, specifically multi-defendant murder trials and grand jury indictment proceedings. Attorneys in criminal cases — particularly homicide matters — should be prepared for a judge with direct, documented experience managing the procedural and evidentiary complexity of such cases. In multi-defendant scenarios, the split verdict in the Cody Flores trial (Benoit guilty, Smith not guilty) indicates that the proceedings were conducted in a manner that permitted the jury to evaluate each defendant individually, suggesting that severance arguments and individualized defense strategies are procedurally viable before this judge. Attorneys handling cases arising from grand jury indictments should be aware that Judge Bonini has direct experience with post-indictment proceedings, including the management of additional charges flowing from grand jury action, as seen in the 'Miss Flo' matter. No data exists regarding civil matters, motion practice preferences, or courtroom demeanor beyond the criminal context. Attorneys in non-criminal matters should conduct independent research before drawing on this profile for strategic guidance.

• critical

  Research Current Assignment and Docket

  The available dataset is limited to two 2017 criminal matters. Attorneys should independently verify Judge Bonini's current courtroom assignment, docket type, and any local rules or standing orders applicable to his department before any appearance.

• critical

  Prepare Individualized Defendant Arguments in Multi-Defendant Cases

  The Cody Flores trial split verdict establishes that Judge Bonini managed proceedings where co-defendants received differentiated outcomes. In any multi-defendant matter, prepare distinct, individualized arguments for each client rather than relying on collective or group-based framing.

• important

  Review Grand Jury Indictment Procedures if Applicable

  Judge Bonini has direct experience with post-indictment proceedings and charge expansions following grand jury action. If your matter involves a grand jury indictment, thoroughly review the procedural history and anticipate motions related to the scope and basis of the indictment.

• important

  Obtain Attorney Observations from Local Criminal Bar

  No attorney observations are present in the current dataset. Attorneys should consult with Santa Clara County criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors who have appeared before Judge Bonini to obtain firsthand accounts of his courtroom preferences and demeanor.

• ›No attorney observation data is available to support specific etiquette guidance. Follow standard Santa Clara Superior Court courtroom protocols and consult the court's local rules for Judge Bonini's department.
• ›In multi-defendant criminal proceedings, be prepared to address each defendant's circumstances individually, consistent with the case management approach reflected in the Cody Flores trial.
• ›When appearing on matters arising from grand jury indictments, arrive with a thorough command of the indictment's procedural history, as Judge Bonini has documented experience with the complexity of such proceedings.