Alan Castillo

Alan Castillo

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Newport Beach, CA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

3848 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA

About Alan

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 31 years

State: California

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of Alan Castillo

3848 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA, 92660

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Alan Castillo's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

40 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (40) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | May 28, 2013 | DUI & DWI

Bad thing happen to good people

I am anonymously writing this review to enlighten you on the spectacular experience I had while going through a very traumatic time last year. I unfortunately was arrested for a second DUI while coming home from a Christmas party. I am employed as a healthcare professional and having this conviction ...on my record would have heavily encroached on my ability to practice due to the proposed ramifications imposed on me by my licensing board. I was referred to Alan, Barry, and Peter from a colleague and felt immediately comforted when I walked in their office (as compared to the prior 2 attorneys I had interviewed). Alan quickly broke down my options in my case and gave me tangible potential outcomes that gave me solace from the multitude of scenarios I had created in my own mind. Over the year I was working with Alan, I was witness to the diligence Alan put forth towards not only my case but managing the collateral damage created by dealing with my licensing board. Alan and his associates were, through a collaborative effort, able to deliver the optimal result in my case. The one thing I would like to highlight is the fact that when you hire Alan, you are not only employing one attorney, you are hiring an entire team of lawyers who specialize in this specific type of scenario. During the process of dealing with my case, I by chance, came across an article written in the OC Metro rating the top law firms in Orange County and was comforted to see Alan’s firm listed in the top 5. When I finally had to appear in court, I was able to observe how respected Alan is within the judicial system. The Judge, DA, and bailiffs all referred to him by his first name and allowed him to freely navigate through the judicial process unhindered( another attorney was also present during the closure of my case and was not nearly treated in the same fashion!). After my case was closed, Alan continued with the management of correspondence with my licensing board to create closure to this extremely stressful time in my life that nearly ended my career and marriage. I am indebted to Alan’s service and will never forget his compassion in my time of need. I cannot express how imperative it is to get the right attorney during a situation like this that can change the course of your life.

Posted by Michael | April 04, 2012 | DUI & DWI

Terrific, hard-working and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney

Mr. Castillo did a brilliant job dealing with a difficult DUI-related case. This was a misdemeanor situation that had gotten blown out of proportion due to an egotistical judge. Mr. Castillo developed a great strategy and used his knowledge of the Superior Court operations to get the case handled f...airly. All the while he kept us informed and showed concern. His advice was comforting and he was realistic in making us understand possible outcomes. His assessments were accurate and his skill and knowledge of the law resulted in a very favorable conclusion. I strongly recommend Mr. Castillo to others in need of a criminal defense attorney.

Posted by Chris | February 14, 2012 | Lawsuits & Disputes

A life saver

Alan was a beacon of hope in what was, potentially, a very dark situation. Though not his area of expertise, we were so impressed with his attitude, skill and professionalism, that we asked him to take our case anyway. Alan did not disappoint. He was a champion of justice for us, in what was a ver...y unjust situation. His communication was excellent, he made us feel protected and ultimately, vindicated. He always had time to answer our questions and was patient with us, when we got anxious about our situation. We ended up winning our case and were only required to show up to court on one day. Alan represented us several times in our absence. We liked Alan so much, that even when having an issue in Georgia with our automobile Title, we called Alan. Again, he showed his versatility and overall knowledge of the law and was prepared to assist us again. Luckily, we caught a break and did not need to go to court. In short, Alan is a hero in our book. He's just the right mix of gentle, understanding advocate and no BS, hard nosed butt kicker. I would recommend Alan for any legal issues you might have. Thanks Alan!

Posted by Richard | January 29, 2012 | Criminal Defense

AlanCastillo

I have delt with other attornys.Alan is by far the most professional, comitted and supportive I've ever met. The case he handled for us was very difficult. He was able to get the charges reduced to a level that no one would ever believe. He spent countless hours working this case and making sure he g...ot the best deal possible. During the process he kept us informed and updated regularly. There was never a time where we doubted what Alan was doing. He had a clear objective and made sure it was met. During this process Alan became very ill and was in intensive care. Most people would have given up and handed the case over to an associate. Not Alan!! He got some help but when he was able to he came back strong. I am so happy we had Alan on our side. I think it is also important to point out that Alan had several other cases he was handling in addition to ours. He was still able to work a miracle for us. I would refer him to anyone in need of help.

Posted by sean | January 23, 2011 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Aggressive & Impressive

Great Result. The First time saw him in action in court I knew I wanted this guy to handle my case. He walked the talk. From the start he made no guarantees, no promises and gave it to me straight. A real professional.

See All Client Reviews

Alan Castillo's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Alan
April S Gilbert headshot
April Gilbert

DUI and DWI lawyer | Sep 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Alan for over 25 years. We worked as colleagues in the Orange County Public Defender’s Office, later I consulted with him on cases in private criminal defense practice. I am pleased to endorse Alan, who is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys I know in the field of DUI defense. His depth of understanding in this complex area is unmatched, and he is consistently a reliable resource for fellow attorneys seeking guidance or insight. Beyond his impressive expertise, Alan has built a strong and well-deserved reputation in the legal community for his professionalism, integrity, and dedication to his clients. His combination of skill, experience, and generosity in sharing his knowledge makes him an invaluable asset to both his clients and colleagues."

Bianca Alize Jimenez headshot
Bianca Jimenez

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Co-worker

"I recommend Alan Castillo unequivocally. He is a strong litigator and conscientious protector of his client’s rights. His knowledge in particular to the ins and outs of DUI law is especially incredible. You would be well-served with his legal services."

Luis Santiago Valencia headshot
Luis Valencia

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Knows DUI's better than anyone I know. Great person and even better lawyer."

Peter Francis Iocona headshot
Peter Iocona

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Alan Castillo is one of the most talented criminal defense attorneys that I know. Not only is Mr. Castillo one of the most talented criminal defense attorneys that I know; but he is also one of the most talented DUI Defense Attorneys that I know. He is a skilled negotiator and a highly skilled trial lawyer. I highly recommend this lawyer to anyone seeking a criminal defense attorney or issues with any professional licenses he/she may have."

Sean Dennis Hennessey headshot
Sean Hennessey

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Al Castillo for over 15 years since we both worked in the Orange County Public Defender's Office. Al is an extremely knowledgeable attorney in the filed of DUI law and criminal law in general."

William W. Bruzzo headshot
William Bruzzo

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Alan for about 15 years. During that time I have seen first hand his dedication to each and every client. He leaves no stone unturned and the result is that he consistently gets great results for client. In a recent case with facts I was familiar with, I saw him get a truly extraordinary result which saved the client from a felony and jail. Given the facts, I am still not sure how he did it. I would enthusiastically recommend this attorney."

D. Michael Phillips headshot
D. Michael Phillips

DUI and DWI lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Castillo has shown as a member of the National College for DUI Defense that he is committed to providing cutting edge DUI defense. The National DUI College members represent the most experienced DUI defense attorneys in the country. If you are charged with a DUI, a general practice lawyer is not the answer. Good DUI defense is hard work and few offenses in our court system call for greater attorney expertise than cases involving driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. DUI cases are especially complex because they require defense counsel to understand BOTH scientific and legal issues. As a fellow member of the College, if you are looking for exceptional representation, I would not hesitate to recommend Alan Castillo."

Peter J Carini headshot
Peter Carini

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"It is with pleasure that I recommend and endorse Mr. Castillo to anyone who wants a superb and caring attorney. I have had the opportunity to send clients to Mr. Castillo for help with unpleasant matters in Laguna Beach. These were not only clients, but some were friends. The best endorsement that I can give to any other lawyer is to refer my clients to them for assistance."

Barry Thomas Simons headshot
Barry Simons

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 23

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Alan is one of the great trial lawyers! He's a true champion of his clients. He has earned the respect of both Judges and Prosecutors in every courtroom he enters."

View All Endorsements
Marlo Parago Cordero headshot
Marlo Cordero

Criminal defense lawyer

Sean Dennis Hennessey headshot
Sean Hennessey

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1994

1994 Dean's Award, Loyola Law School

Work Experience

2000 - Present

Senior Trial Attorney, The Law Office of Barry T. Simons

1997 - 2000

Deputy Public Defender, Orange County Public Defender's Office

1995 - 1998

Staff Attorney, The Law Office of Robert Stevenson

Associations

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

Member

State Bar of California

Member

California Public Defenders Association

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1998 - 1999

Orange County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

U.S. v. Alvarez-Machain

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Loyola Marymount University

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

University of California, Los Angeles

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

California Attorneys for Criminal Justice

CACJ Professional Licensing Consequences for Criminal Convictions

2013

California DUI Lawyers Association

DMV Defenses & Trial

Publications

2016

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2015

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2014

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2013

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2012

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2011

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2010

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2009

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2008

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributor Editor)

2007

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2006

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2005

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2004

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

2003

James Publishing publication California Drunk Driving Law (Contributing Editor)

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

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