John was raised in Vacaville and attended Vacaville schools, continuing on to the University of Calirfonia Berkeley and California Western School of Law.  He and his wife Kathy continue to live in Vacaville where they rasied their two children.  He started his legal career in 1980 at the Solano County District Attorney's Office where he worked for almost ten years.  While there, he tried numerous serious felony cases including several murder caess.  In 1989, John went into private practice handling a variety of civil and criminal cases and ultimately focused on criminal defense.  He has conitnued in this role since then.

The philosophy of a trial court judge ought to be straight forward and simply to explain.  He or she must constantly maintain a mind that is open to the facts and arguments of the litigants who appear before him.  A judge must view each case as if it is the first time he has considered the issues presented, and thereby restrain the natural impulse to let preconceived views bias his decision.  A judge must have the courage of his beliefs.  It is inevitable that a judge will be called upon to make a decision he knows will be met with disapproval and even anger from the public.  He must not fear this response but understand that it is what may naturally come from living in a free society.  No judge will remain on the bench forever, his time is limited no matter what he does, and therefore it is better that he do what is right by the law and his community and let the rest resolve itself.