Michael Castillo | Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer

As a former extern with the Clark County District Attorney's Office, he learned firsthand  how “the other side” prosecutes cases. Now he's able to “think like a prosecutor” and anticipate their strategies. Even Nevada's police rely on Mike to defend them when their officers get into trouble... the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers (NAPSO) is one of Las Vegas Defense Group's standing clients.

As a criminal defense attorney, Mike has experience in motion practice at the trial and appellate levels in both criminal and juvenile courts.  Mike has represented clients in numerous matters including Traffic Tickets, DUI, Battery Domestic Violence, Shoplifting and Drug Crimes. He received advance training on how to fight sexual assault cases (Savannah, GA, Oct. 2013). Mike has also first or second-chaired numerous jury trials including a murder trial and an attempted murder trial. Mike has also successfully represented clients in post conviction appeals in front of the Nevada Supreme Court and has two published opinions to date (State v. Gonzalez, 298 P. 3d 448; 129 Nev. Adv. Op. 22 (2013) and Barral v. State, 131 Nev. Adv. Op. 52 (2015)).

Mike tirelessly investigates the evidence in each criminal defense, personal injury, and family law case. He is always ready to go to trial. However, usually this preparation and tenacity allows him to secure favorable resolutions with opposing counsel that spare his clients the stress of trial.

Prior to graduating magna cum laude from the Boyd School of Law at UNLV, Mike gained practical experience by clerking in the Henderson firm of Rands, South & Gardner as well as externing with the D.A's office. Hailing from the Midwest, he received his B.A. in Education from The University of Michigan and preceded his legal  career by teaching Social Studies and English in Detroit and Las Vegas.

Las Vegas criminal defense attorney Mike Castillo represents clients throughout Nevada with a focus on Clark County. He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NADCL), the American Bar Association and the Clark County Bar Association. He lives in the Summerlin area with his wife.

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Associate Attorney	Las Vegas Defense Group, LLC		2017 - Present
Associate Attorney	Mortenson & Pafie, LLP		2016 - 2017
Associate Attorney	Patti, Srgo, Lewis & Roger		2015 - 2015
Lead Associate Attorney	Las Vegas Defense Group, LLC		2010 - 2015

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas	J.D.	Law School	2008
University of Michigan	B.Ed.	History	2000

State / Court	Date
Nevada	2009

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NADCL) | Member | 2010 - Present
  Clark County Bar Association | Member | 2009 - Present
  American Bar Association | Member | 2008 - Present

• 10 Best Law Firm Client Satisfaction | American Institute of Legal Counsel | 2018
  Top Lawyers | Three Best Rated | 2017
  10 Best Law Firm Client Satisfaction | American Institute of Legal Counsel | 2017
  Best Criminal Defense Firm Gold Winner | Las Vegas Review-Journal "Best of Las Vegas" | 2017
  Rising Star | SuperLawyers | 2016
  10 Best Attorney (Nevada) | American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys | 2015
  Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer (Nevada) | The National Trial Lawyers | 2015
  magna cum laude | William S. Boyd School of Law | 2008

• NV v. Christian P. -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: NOT GUILTY FELONY BATTERY WITH SERIOUS INJURY -Description: Defendant went up to security guard at a casino to ask why he was told to leave the casino floor. The security guard assaulted defendant who then hit a coffee pot over the security guard's head, resulting in severe lacerations and burns. Defendant claimed self-defense. NV v. Leopolod G. -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: NOT GUILTY LUDE AND LASCIVIOUS- HUNG JURY ON SEXUAL ASSAULT -Description: Defendant was charged with sexually abusing his minor-aged niece. NV v. Daryal T. -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS -Description: Defendant was a Nye County Sheriff Deputy when he was charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate. NV v. John R. -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: NOT GUILTY KIDNAPPING -Description: Defendant charged with conspiring to kidnap. NV v. Jennifer M -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: DISMISSED SOLICITATION OF PROSTITUTION -Description: Defendant's prostitution charge was dismissed after she completed an AIDS awareness class. NV v. Jenyfer P. -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: DISMISSED PETIT LARCENY -Description: Defendant's Petit Larceny charge dropped after she paid $250 fine. NV v. Barth S. -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: DISMISSED PETIT LARCENY -Description: Defendant's petit larceny charge was dismissed after he completed a petit larceny class and paid a $500 fine. NV v. Aaron H -Practice Area: Criminal defense -Outcome: NOT GUILTY VERDICT FOR RAPE -Description: Client was arrested for rape. Las Vegas Defense Group presented evidence that any sexual conduct was consensual. NV v. Barral -Practice Area: -Criminal defense -Outcome: RAPE CONVICTIONS REVERSED; NEW TRIAL ORDERED -Description: Clark County District Court convicted our client of 2 counts of sexual assault with a minor under 14. On appeal, we argued that the Clark County District Court committed a "structural error" by failing to administer the oath to the jury panel prior to "voir dire." The Nevada Supreme Court agreed and reversed the convictions and ordered a new trial.

• Seminar Defending the Unthinkable: Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault and Child Victims Cases | Sexual Assault Defense | 2013
  

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	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm	9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Michael Vicente Castillo has been a Premium Member since January 12, 2018.
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Verified Credentials	Date Verified
(2009) Licensed as Attorney in Nevada. Verified with State Bar of Nevada.	August 16, 2016

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