The practice of law in the area of Criminal Defense requires a constant dedication to several important concepts that should motivate an attorney and upon which I always focus in my office. Foremost is my firm belief in the supremacy of the Constitution and the rights contained therein. I strive to defend the fundamental rights of everyone I represent. This includes, not exclusively, the right to effective assistance of counsel and the inviolable right to an aggressive defense.
After starting my legal career as a research attorney for the Presiding Justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals, I realized that there was a real need for qualified, ethical attorneys in the field of criminal defense. I turned down an offer to work at the District Attorney’s Offices, and dedicated my life and career to criminal defense in the trial court, and criminal appeals and writs. I enjoy the challenges of difficult cases and I have focused most of my practice in the area of murder cases, especially in special circumstances and death penalty cases.
If you or a loved on are in a situation where you need the assistance of a dedicated, successful criminal attorney, I invite you to contact me, or my associate. We strive for excellence in service and compassion for the needs of our clients. Let us help you.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, University of the Americas, Mexico City, Mexico, 1970
- Lifetime Secondary Teaching Credential, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, 1971
- Master of Arts, Education, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California, 1973
- Intensive French program, Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, California, 1979
- Juris Doctorate, San Joaquin College of Law, 1985
- Death Penalty College, Santa Clara University, 1996
- Lifetime California Community College Teaching Credential, Law, Spanish, 1990
- Death Penalty Jury Selection Program, University of Colorado Law School, 2014
Pre-Law Experience
- International Exchange Student, Mexico City, 1965
- International Exchange Student, Guatemala City, 1966
- St. Joseph’s – St. Patricks Catholic Seminary, Theology, Mountain View, California, 1964-1969
- St. Francis High School, Spanish and French teacher, Mountain View, California, 1971-1981
- Foothill Junior Collge, Professor, French for Travelers, 1980
Activities and Awards
- Leon Peters Scholar, San Joaquin College of Law, 1983
- Internship with U.S. Attorney’s Office, San Joaquin College of Law, 1983
- Personal Research Attorney for Presiding Justice George Brown at 5th District Court of Appeal, 1985-1987
- Co-Author/Editor: Practical Real Estate Law- California Edition, 2nd and 4th Editions
- 1986-1995: Adjunct Professor for Paralegal Program at Fresno City College
- 1987-88: Associate Attorney for Nuttal, Berman, and Magill
- Part-time Madera County Public Defender (Law Office of John Borker), 1989-1990
- Mugridge Law Firm, 1989 to present
- 1995-2008: Fresno County Superior Court Judge Pro-Tem
- Federal Defenders Panel (Fresno) accepting appointments in U.S. District Court — Eastern District of California (Fresno) and U.S. Court of Appeals for 9th Circuit (San Francisco)
- Fresno County Bar Association, Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Arbitrator, 1998-2007
- ARAG Insurance, panel attorney, 1995 to present
- Adjunct Professor of Law at Fresno Pacific University, Fundamentals of American Law, 1995-2003
- Guest lecturer at Alliant University on “Mental State Issues in Criminal Procedure,” 1996
- Guest Lecturer at Fresno State University on “Use of Interpreters in the Courtroom,” 1998
- Pro-Bono Spanish Interpreter in Madera County and Fresno County Superior Courts, 1989-1995
- Appellate Panel Attorney with Central California Appellate Programs (Sacramento), accepting appointments on Appeals and Writs with 5th District Court of Appeal, 1989-1996
- Appellate Panel Attorney with Appellate Defenders Program (San Diego), accepting appointments on Appeals and Writs with 4th District Court of Appeals, 1992-1995
- Multiple Immigration Court Appearances in Immigration Courts in San Franciso, Las Vegas, and Eloy, Arizona
- Pro Hoc Vice Court Appearances in Federal District Court in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Adjunct Professor of Law at San Joaquin College of Law, Advanced Legal Research and Writing, 2007-2016
- Fresno County Superior Court, Writ Panel, accepting appointed indigent Writs filed in Fresno, 2015 to present
- Guest lecturer at UC San Francisco Medical School (Fresno) on Mental States Issues in Criminal Practice, 2017
- Guest lecturer at Criminal Law Offices with Dr. A.A. Howespeian, MD, PhD, on Mental State Issues in Criminal Practice, 2018
- California Super Lawyers, 2009-2018
- Legal Commentator / Analyst for Channels 24, 26, 30, 47, and Univision, 2005 to present
- 1997- Present: Avvo (10 years)
Certifications & Licenses
- California State Bar, No. 123389, 1986
- United States District Court — Eastern District of California, 1986
- United States Court of Appeals — 9th Circuit (San Francisco)
- United States District Court — Northern District (San Francisco)
- United States Supreme Court, Washington, D.C., 1984
- Certified Specialist, Criminal Law, The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 1999
- A-V rating with Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating of attorneys by attorneys), 2008
Published Reversals on Appeal
- 9th Circuit (Randy Castiglione)
- 5th District Court of Appeals
- Over 15 Special Circumstance Murder Cases in Fresno County
- 5 Death Penalty Cases without a death verdict
- Multiple Murder, Assault, Sex and Elder Abuse cases with not guilty verdicts
- Over 30 cases taken to trial and verdict, including juvenile and administrative court
Areas of Law
- Murder
- Assault
- Kidnapping
- Robbery
- Rape
- Burglary
- Domestic Violence
- Weapons Offenses
- White Collar Crimes
- Criminal Defense
- State and Federal Court
- Homicide
- Habeas Corpus
- Appeals and Writs
- Parole
- White Collar
- Expungements-Prop 46
