--- title: "Ralph L. Wolf | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ralph-l-wolf" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Ralph L. Wolf Bronx County Criminal Court · Criminal Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Bronx County Criminal Court - State: New York - Role: Criminal Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording and photography Scope: statewide New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms. Evidence excerpt: 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 obtained [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### evidence presentation control Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### electronic appearances Scope: statewide For New York criminal proceedings, virtual and hybrid appearances are governed by Part 200 consent, objection, public-access, and calendar-update requirements. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectory) - [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectory) - [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectory) - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) - [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) - [Part 200: Uniform Rules for Courts Exercising Criminal Jurisdiction](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-200-uniform-rules-courts-exercising-criminal-jurisdiction) - [Judicial Directory: Hon. Ralph L. Wolf](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=1aAa73iZsNEVoEXmDlDafQ%3D%3D) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ralph-l-wolf", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ralph-l-wolf", "name": "Ralph L. Wolf | KnowJudges", "description": "Ralph L. Wolf, Bronx County Criminal Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ralph-l-wolf#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ralph-l-wolf#judge", "name": "Ralph L. 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[Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34fe480ab82f22fa3c31d257) — 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](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.