Staff

José Luis Castillo proudly joined the Tohono O’odham Judicial Bench on the 11th of March 2026.

In his prior legal career, Judge Castillo was trial counsel representing clients facing felonies and misdemeanors. His trial experience is rooted, but not governed, by the Office of the Pima County Legal Defender and the City of Tucson Public Defender. He then served as a judge in the Pima County Consolidated Justice Courts for nearly 21 years where he gained a general reputation as a fair, considerate and respectful jurist.

Judge Castillo is father to three children (one of whom is also a Marine). He was active duty in the Marine Corps and was Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant. He is fluent in Spanish, is learning Yoeme and is committed to understand O’odham Ñi’okǐ.

He is an alumnus of the University of Arizona where he earned his JD and a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.

Judge Castillo has been a guest lecturer at the University of Arizona, La Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Pima Community College, the Judicial College of Arizona and other venues including elementary and high schools. Aside from his creative writing (children’s books, poetry, border ghost stories, guides for judges and attorneys plus general fiction & non-fiction), Judge Castillo has taught basic legal introduction to children and young adults in Pima and Santa Cruz Counties.

Judge Castillo is at once humbled by the call to serve the Nation and simultaneously greatly honored to serve the members of the Nation.