John Ciafone - Ballotpedia

John has a bachelor's degree from New York University and a law degree from St. John's School.

John Ciafone ran for Municipal Civil Court judge in 2023, New York City Council in 2021, and Queens Civil Court judge in 2020 but did not win. 

John Ciafone for NYC Council

Worked as a hearing officer for the city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and as a small claims court arbitrator.

As an attorney, has worked on civil rights, criminal defense, family law, and personal injury cases.

Has 27 years of experience as a trial attorney.

- Worked as a hearing officer for the city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and as a small claims court arbitrator.
- Has 27 years of experience as a trial attorney.

Legal Experience

Believes New York’s bail reform laws have increased crime rates, citing a report by the Manhattan Institute that shows significant rises in burglaries, robberies, shootings, and car thefts since the 2018 bail reform.

Believes New York’s bail reform laws have increased crime rates.

Said, "This country is going in the wrong direction and we need to save it... we need the Asian community, whether Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, whatever, wherever you’re from, to support the principles of America."

- Supports law enforcement.
- Believes New York’s bail reform laws have increased crime rates.
- Said, "This country is going in the wrong direction and we need to save it... we need the Asian community, whether Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, whatever, wherever you’re from, to support the principles of America."

Judicial Philosophy

As of May 6, 2025, John Ciafone’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Served as a certified EMT/EMS and won a Health Care Hero Award for service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Served as a certified EMT/EMS and won a Health Care Hero Award for service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Involvement

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John Ciafone

Supports electing community board members instead of appointing them.

Supports term limits for community board members and all government officials.

Worked as a hearing officer for the city and as a small claims court arbitrator.

Believes New York’s bail reform laws have increased crime.

Described himself as "independent" and criticized the current judicial establishment as "beholden to special interests."

Described himself as "independent" and criticized the current judicial establishment as beholden to special interests.

Served as president of Community School Board 30.

- The New York Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court.
- It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $10,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters and housing code violations.
- There are 120 judges elected to the Civil Court, but only about 50 sit in it. The remaining judges sit in other courts, such as the Criminal Court or Family Court.
- Judges are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections.
- They are paid a salary of $216,400.