Nicole Castka earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Otterbein College.

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench

Nicole L. Castka holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Otterbein College and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench - State of Michigan

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Otterbein College and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County
Nicole Castka is a sole practitioner focused on criminal defense at the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC., in Detroit, which she founded in 2003. Castka is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar Association, the Michigan Association of Justice, Women Lawyers Association, and the Detroit Bar Association. She is also an alumnus of the National Criminal Defense College.

Nicole is a sole practitioner who focuses on criminal defense at the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC, in Detroit, which she founded.

“I am so deeply honored and grateful for the trust put forth by Governor Whitmer and her office to give me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Wayne County in a much deeper capacity than I have been able to in my private practice,” said Castka. “I will ensure that all parties appearing before the bench will be treated with dignity and respect and that justice will be upheld.”
This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Mariam Bazzi. Castka’s term will commence on June 30, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.

Judge Castka began her assignment on Monday, June 23 in the Criminal Division when she was sworn in by Chief Judge Patricia Perez Fresard. Judge Castka previously practiced criminal law at her own firm in Detroit.

Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan News and DEI updates from Third Circuit Court — July 2025 (3rdcc-eNewsletter)

Nicole was appointed to fill a partial term as a judge on Michigan’s 3rd Circuit Court following the resignation of Judge Mariam Bazzi. Her term commenced on June 30, 2025, and expires on January 1, 2027.

Criminal - Third Circuit Court

Nicole L. Castka was appointed to fill a partial term as a judge on Michigan’s 3rd Circuit Court following the resignation of Judge Mariam Bazzi. Her term commenced on June 30, 2025, and expires on January 1, 2027.

2026 Michigan General Election

Nonpartisan

Please describe your practice, and tell us where you practice and how long you have been a criminal defense attorney?

I have been practicing for 25 years in the metro-Detroit area. For all 25 years, I have been practicing criminal defense only.

SADO - Article - Nicole L. Castka

As founder and sole practitioner of a Detroit law firm, represents criminal defendants and has practiced criminal defense for 25 years.

- As founder and sole practitioner of a Detroit law firm, represents criminal defendants and has practiced criminal defense for 25 years.

Legal Experience

What are some things we can do to improve the criminal justice system?

Actual rehabilitation, whether on probation or incarcerated. We have done a disservice to our citizens by not demanding more be implemented for assistance.

Calls for more assistance to support the rehabilitation of people on probation or who are incarcerated.

- Calls for more assistance to support the rehabilitation of people on probation or who are incarcerated.

Judicial Administration

“I am so deeply honored and grateful for the trust put forth by Governor Whitmer and her office to give me the opportunity to serve the citizens of Wayne County in a much deeper capacity than I have been able to in my private practice,” said Castka. “I will ensure that all parties appearing before the bench will be treated with dignity and respect and that justice will be upheld.”

Pledges to treat all parties appearing before the court with dignity and respect and uphold justice.

- Pledges to treat all parties appearing before the court with dignity and respect and uphold justice.

Judicial Philosophy

As of September 14, 2026, Nicole L. Castka’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Nicole L. Castka

Nicole L. Castka earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Otterbein College and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

3rd Circuit Court – Wayne County. Nicole Castka is a sole practitioner focused on criminal defense at the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC., in Detroit, which she founded in 2003.

Nicole is a sole practitioner focused on criminal defense at the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC, which she founded.

LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Judge Aliyah Sabree and Nicole Castka to the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County.

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Mariam Bazzi. Castka’s term will commence on June 30, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.

Nicole was appointed to the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County to fill a partial term following a resignation. Her term commenced on June 30, 2025, and expires on January 1, 2027.

As founder and sole practitioner of the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC, focuses on criminal defense in Detroit.

- As founder and sole practitioner of the Law Office of Nicole L. Castka, PLLC, focuses on criminal defense in Detroit.

Said all parties appearing before the bench will be treated with dignity and respect, and that justice will be upheld.

- Said all parties appearing before the bench will be treated with dignity and respect, and that justice will be upheld.

Third Circuit Court is visiting multiple Wayne County municipalities this month! Following a visit from the Hon. Nicole Castka (right) to Grosse Pointe Farms on March 9, members of our Bench will be providing a high-level presentation about the court and jury services to four more communities in March: Ecorse, Garden City, Grosse Ile and Grosse Pointe Woods. We are scheduling additional presentations for later this spring and summer. Our 10 Minutes to Justice program is designed to increase the court’s direct outreach with the communities we serve.

Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan — March 2026 eNewsletter

Our 10 Minutes to Justice program is designed to increase the court’s direct outreach with the communities we serve. Members of the Bar graciously give their time to present in front of city council and township board meetings on a variety of high-level topics including Third Circuit Court’s role in the state judiciary, the types of matters in front of the Bench, number of employees, judges and referees, and most of all the importance of jury services. Special thanks to Judge Castka along with Judge Mary Beth Kelly (above in Grosse Ile Township) and Judge Lawrence Elassal (in Ecorse and Garden City) for presenting in communities throughout the month of March.

Presents information about court and jury services through the Third Circuit Court's 10 Minutes to Justice community outreach program.

- Presents information about court and jury services through the Third Circuit Court's 10 Minutes to Justice community outreach program.

Calls for actual rehabilitation and more assistance for people on probation or who are incarcerated.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Bradley L. Cobb

Carla G. Testani

Chandra W. Baker-Robinson

Charlene M. Elder

Chris Dingell

Christopher M. Blount

Cylenthia LaToye Miller

David J. Allen

Don Knapp

Edward J. Joseph

Helal A. Farhat

Margaret M. Van Houten

Mary Beth Kelly

Nicole N. Goodson

Shannon Nicol Walker

- A circuit court judge is an elected judicial official who serves in Michigan’s circuit court system, the state’s trial court of general jurisdiction.
- Circuit courts handle major legal matters, including felony criminal cases, large civil lawsuits, family law matters, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts and some administrative agencies.
- Michigan circuit court judges are elected in nonpartisan elections and may also be appointed to fill vacancies.
- Judges serve six-year terms and may run for reelection.
- Candidates must be licensed attorneys authorized to practice law in Michigan, admitted to practice for at least five years, qualified electors within the judicial circuit, and under 70 years old at the time of election or appointment.
- The salary of a Michigan circuit court judge is approximately $183,000 per year.

A judge who handles major criminal, civil, and family court cases.