The Castillo Law Office4400 Keller AvenueSuite 181Oakland, CA, 94605United States (510) 686-1555 (510) 686-1553

Hugo Ernesto Castillo

also known as Ernie Castillo

Avvo Rating8.5

Oakland, CA
Licensed for 19 years

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About Hugo

Ernie Castillo specializes in criminal defense throughout the Bay Area. Ernie Castillo's successful track record of trial experience includes complex topics on DNA, gangs, ballistics, fingerprints, false confessions, mistaken witness identification, sexual assault medical exams, possession for sale of narcotics, the compassionate use act, manufacturing of methamphetamine, accident reconstruction and the use of breathalizers/blood draws. Ernie Castillo's areas of practice include:

Murder
Attempted Murder
Vehicular Manslaughter
Assault with deadly weapon
Gun
Firearm
Weapons
Gang Offenses
Sex Offenses
Rape
Domestic Violence
Three Strikes Cases
Threats
Drug sales
Sale of methamphetamine
Sales of marijuana
Sales of cocaine
Robbery
Burglary
DUI Law
Theft
White Collar Crimes

We are dedicated to protecting your freedom and take pride in giving our clients a voice in the courtroom. Let us dedicate our experience to helping you.

Practice areas

Criminal defense: 100%
Homicides, Gang Cases, Assault, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Drugs, DUI, Three Strikes, Firearms/Weapons
20 years

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

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The Castillo Law Office

4400 Keller Avenue
Suite 181
Oakland, CA, 94605

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License

State	Status	Acquired	Updated
CA	Active	2002	02/07/2022

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Avvo Contributions

Legal answers	6
Legal guides	0

Awards

Award name	Grantor	Date Granted
Client Distinction Award	Martindale-Hubbell	2013
Rising Star	Super Lawyers	2013

work experience

Title	Company name	Duration
Attorney	The Castillo Law Office	2002 - Present
Extern	US district court northern district of california	2001 - 2001
Legal Intern	San Francisco Public Defender	2000 - 2001

associations

Association name	Position name	Duration
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers	Member	2010 - Present
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice	Member	2010 - Present
East Bay La Raza Lawyers Association	Member	2013 - 2014

publications

Publication name	Title	Date
147 Cal.App.4th 1470	People v. Zaidi	2007
Golden Gate University Law Review	How California Can Harmonize a Tenant's State Rights and a Landlord's Right to go Out of Business Under the Ellis Act	2001

education

School name	Degree	Graduated
Golden Gate University School of Law		2002
San Francisco State University	BA - Bachelor of Arts	1996

speaking engagements

Conference name	Title	Date
College Awareness	Criminal Law	2008
College Awareness	Criminal Law	2006
SFPD	Criminal Law	1998

legal cases

Case name	Outcome
United States v. D.R.	Case Dismissed
People v. Ose.	Mistrial
People v. R.R.	Probation.
People v. Castro	Not guilty verdict on all sex counts.

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Reviews

4.0 stars4.0 (4)

5 Star		75%
4 Star		0%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		25%

Review Hugo Ernesto Castillo

Honest and very knowledgeable !

5.0 stars

Posted by Sonia
June 29, 2021

I called Mr. Castillo for a consultation regarding an ongoing case of a family member facing serious charges. Mr. Castillo took the time to explain different scenarios and provided his very honest prespective about the case. I've consulted with other attorney's who only tell you what you want to hear in order to make business. Mr. Castillo is very knowledgeable and was highly recommend. It's unfortunate that i didn't find him much much earlier. Thanks again Mr. Castillo!

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Consulted attorney

Aggressive & Confident Lawyer!

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
October 30, 2013

Mr Castillo represented me on a criminal case in which I was falsely accused in 2012. He took over the case from a previous lawyer who was less aggressive and not actively pursing my defense. Mr Castillo is a confident, aggressive and very persistent lawyer. He kept my family and I up to date on the case and also returned our calls on time. Mr Castillo persuaded me not to take any deal and wanted take the case to trial because he was confident that he would win. With the Lord's guidance and Ernie's aggressiveness my case was dismissed. I would highly recommend Mr Castillo to anyone.

5.0 stars

Posted by anonymous
August 2, 2007

Mr. Castillo just finished a year plus, defense of myself, (case 219094, city of fremont Ca) in which he protected my rites the entire way up to and through, my NOT GUILTY verdict arrived at in a record fashion, 30 minute deliberation by the jury, whilst impeaching witness after witness, as well as using the arresting police offer to help in that impeachment of said witness'. He did such an excellent job that I did not even have testify, nor did we offer a defense. His closing arguements were spot on and thourogh. His battle plan and decision making prowess was second to none. His tanacity in approach as well as overall preformance left no doubt and I, not much of a computer guy, but having used this web page to preruse lawyer ratings, was impressed enough to return to offer this rating of him for your information, and to update the overall rating a new, with this evidence to add to what you have already. I would rehire Ernie in a heartbeat but of course hope I will never have the need again. : ) Please give him your full attention and send this rating of 5.9 you currently have, to a rating of at the very least a 7+. sincere thanks.....Michael Kilmer age 59, a free man with a good reputation still in tact thanks to Mr. Castillo.

1.0 star

Posted by anonymous
August 10, 2013

Mr. Castillo has been "representing" us for the last year, and at first, seemed like he'd be up to the challenge to take on a case that was messed up completely by a previous lawyer. But, it turns out, he's just like the rest of the attorneys; simply trying to take your money. Why would someone take on a case knowing from the start that he wouldn't be able to do anything about it? Just to tell us at the end to take the "deal". We did not need to pay large sums of money to come to a conclusion of having to take the "deal". Please, beware when dealing with him. In addition to all of this, he RARELY ever returns any calls, texts, emails...ever! You call him, and he texts back after a period of time and says he will call later that day, only to remain waiting for the call 2 weeks later. Very poor communication. We thought we could trust him, but like the first attorney, we were wrong. Did a very poor job at informing us of things.

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Attorney endorsements

(7)

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David Cohen, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 12, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I strongly endorse this lawyer's work. His work on behalf of clients, passion and experience in criminal defense are evident. He is dedicated, smart, and committed to the defense of his clients.

Robert Beles, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 13, 2017
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

Ernie is one of the best trial attorneys in Alameda County and Northern California. I endorse this lawyer.

David Cohen, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 12, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I strongly endorse this lawyer's work. His work on behalf of clients, passion and experience in criminal defense are evident. He is dedicated, smart, and committed to the defense of his clients.

Robert Beles, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 13, 2017
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

Ernie is one of the best trial attorneys in Alameda County and Northern California. I endorse this lawyer.

Jared Winter, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 5, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Ernie and I had a complex white-collar case together. I was impressed with his natural ease and skill in cross-examination. I endorse this lawyer.

Johnny Lai, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 31, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on May 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Hugo. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Elliot Silver, Criminal defense Attorney on May 3, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

David Reagan, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 13, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Castillo is one of the hardest working and most effective defense attorneys I have ever known. He has an excellent reputation for handling serious cases in both state and federal court, as well as having no fear at trial. I endorse Mr. Castillo without any hesitation.

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Hugo Ernesto Castillo

About Hugo

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Reviews

Honest and very knowledgeable !

5.0 stars

Aggressive & Confident Lawyer!

5.0 stars

Excellent Lawyering by Mr. Castillo

5.0 stars

Unbelievable

1.0 star

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