Business Details
16 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Oakland Criminal Defense Attorney
Dedicated to providing high-quality legal representation, The Castillo Law Office specializes in criminal defense with over 15 years of experience. Our team combines extensive trial experience, including membership in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, to deliver tailored defense strategies. We prioritize client communication, offering 24/7 availability and free consultations directly with Attorney Ernie Castillo. Our proven track record includes reducing or dismissing serious charges, from DUIs to murder cases, while maintaining a commitment to ethical advocacy. With a focus on protecting clients' futures, we handle cases in both state and federal courts across Oakland and surrounding areas. Our approach emphasizes transparency, personalized service, and leveraging deep knowledge of local legal systems to achieve favorable outcomes.Recognized for excellence through awards like the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award, we combine legal expertise with compassionate support throughout the defense process. Our office serves clients in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, offering flexible payment plans to accommodate financial needs. By challenging prosecutorial evidence and employing innovative defense tactics, we strive to minimize the life-altering consequences of criminal charges. This commitment to relentless advocacy has earned recognition in media outlets and peer organizations, solidifying our reputation as trusted legal advocates.
Services
Criminal Defense
DUI Defense
Drug Crimes
Domestic Violence
Murder Charges
Sex Crimes
Probation Violations
Juvenile Defense
White Collar Crimes
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- 15+ years of specialized criminal defense experience
- 24/7 availability for urgent legal matters
- Direct attorney consultation during free evaluations
- Proven success reducing serious felony charges
- Flexible payment plans for financial accessibility
Associations and certifications
- The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars
What people say
Spectacular job
Highly recommend
Master of his craft
Genuine and sincere
Aggressive and persistent
Services
Criminal Defense
Our comprehensive criminal defense services protect clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Oakland and surrounding areas. With specialized expertise in California criminal law, we develop customized defense strategies for cases involving DUIs, drug crimes, domestic violence, and violent offenses. Our approach combines thorough evidence analysis, expert witness testimony, and aggressive courtroom representation to achieve charge reductions or dismissals.
DUI Defense
We provide specialized defense for DUI charges, challenging blood alcohol test accuracy and procedural violations. Our experience with complex DUI cases includes negotiating reduced charges and avoiding license suspensions through strategic legal maneuvers. We represent clients in both first-time and repeat offense situations across Alameda County.
Murder Charges
Our firm handles serious murder and manslaughter charges with extensive trial experience in state and federal courts. We employ expert witnesses for forensic analysis of DNA, ballistics, and witness identification while challenging prosecutorial evidence. Our track record includes dismissing murder charges and reducing potential life sentences through pretrial motions and jury trials.
Sex Crimes
We defend against child molestation, sexual assault, and other sex crime allegations with specialized legal strategies. Our approach includes challenging forensic evidence, employing expert testimony, and protecting clients' rights during investigations. We work to prevent sex offender registration and minimize immigration consequences for clients facing these life-altering charges.
Juvenile Defense
Our juvenile defense services focus on protecting young clients' futures through specialized legal representation. We handle cases involving underage drug offenses, assault, and other criminal charges while working with rehabilitation programs. Our goal is to minimize long-term consequences and keep juvenile records sealed through strategic plea negotiations and trial advocacy.
People
Ernie Castillo
Criminal Defense Attorney
With 15+ years of experience, Ernie Castillo is a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Super Lawyers Rising Star recipient. He previously worked as a federal judge extern and public defender, handling complex criminal cases from DUIs to murder charges. His practice focuses on aggressive defense strategies and personalized client representation.
Questions
What types of criminal cases do you handle?
We handle all criminal defense matters including DUIs, drug crimes, domestic violence, sex offenses, juvenile cases, and serious felonies like murder and manslaughter.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we provide free case evaluations by phone, email, or in-person directly with Attorney Castillo during all hours of the day.
How can you help with felony charges?
Our proven track record shows we can reduce or dismiss serious felony charges through evidence challenges, expert witness testimony, and strategic plea negotiations.
Are you available for urgent cases?
Yes, we offer 24/7 availability for emergency legal situations and provide immediate assistance with bail hearings and police investigations.
Do you serve areas outside Oakland?
We represent clients throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties including Antioch, Concord, Hayward, Livermore, and San Leandro.
Can you help with immigration consequences?
We strategically handle cases to minimize deportation risks and have successfully dismissed charges that could impact immigration status.
