Ralph L. Wolf at a glance
- Current role
- Criminal Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends 2034
Ralph L. Wolf
Criminal Court Judge · Bronx County Criminal Court
Biography
Professional career
- Democratic Party judge of the Manhattan 5th Municipal Court District in the New York City Civil Court, elected in November 2024 and serving from January 1, 2025, until January 1, 2035
- Judge, Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York County, Elected, 2025 to 2034
- NYS Unified Court System, Office for Justice Initiatives Assistant Deputy Counsel and Director, Attorney Emeritus Program Statewide Coordinator, Family and Juvenile Treatment Courts 2018 to 2024
- New York City Family Court Court Attorney, 2009 to 2018
- NYS Judicial Institute Court Attorney, 2007 to 2009
- Transition from Advocacy to Judiciary: Wolf’s move from a social justice program leadership role to the bench reflects a shift from direct legal service to adjudicating cases in the court system
Education
- Fordham University School of Law — J.D. (2006)
- M.F.A State University of New York at Albany — 1993
- Brown University — B.A. (1987)
Additional information
- He assumed office on January 1, 2025, following a special general election on November 5, 2024, in which he won 99.3% of the vote.
- Ralph Wolf joined the 5th Municipal Court District of New York County (Manhattan) in the New York City Civil Court.
- Before becoming a judge, Ralph L. Wolf held the role of Director of the Attorney Emeritus Program at the Fordham Law School Feerick Center for Social Justice.
- In that role, he expanded the program’s reach, enabling more volunteer attorneys to provide legal services to New Yorkers in need.
- Public Recognition: Legal and community figures have celebrated his appointment, highlighting his background in public service and legal advocacy
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Exhibits
Statewide
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements.
For all hybrid proceedings, all electronic appearances shall be projected in the physical courtroom in which the in-person portion of the proceeding is taking place in such a manner as to provide a reasonable opportunity for members of the public to view and hear the participants appearing electronically.Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
22 NYCRR Part 200 — Uniform Rules Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Bronx County Criminal Court
State criminal proceedings only; section-specific court and case exceptions remain applicable.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Bronx County Criminal Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Bronx County Criminal Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster ↗Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction ↗