Nicole L. Castka
Nonpartisan · MI · Judge, Wayne County Third Circuit Court
Nicole L. Castka is a Wayne County Third Circuit Court judge assigned to the Criminal Division. Appointed in 2025, she previously spent more than two decades as a Detroit criminal-defense lawyer and sole practitioner.
Track record
General
· 4 records
The Third Circuit Court reported that Nicole Castka was named the Umoja Debate League's Best Judge for 2026 for her volunteer judging in the youth debate program.
July 1, 2026
Source: 3rdcc.org · researched July 13, 2026
The Michigan Court of Appeals rejected an ineffective-assistance claim concerning Nicole Castka's decision, as trial counsel, to withdraw a proposed expert-evidence hearing after the supporting expert became uncooperative; the court affirmed the convictions.
July 10, 2025
Source: courts.michigan.gov · researched July 13, 2026
During her 2024 Third Circuit Court campaign, Nicole Castka was rated Well Qualified by the Detroit Bar Association and endorsed by the Westland Democratic Club.
August 6, 2024
Source: bluevoterguide.org · researched July 13, 2026
Nicole Castka taught Wayne County defense lawyers strategies for representing clients with mental-health challenges, including competency, criminal responsibility, and not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity issues.
February 15, 2023
Source: waynecountydefendertraining.com · researched July 13, 2026
Elections
- 3rd Circuit Judge of Circuit Court - Incumbent - 6 Year Terms · November 3, 2026 · Wayne County, Michigan · incumbent
Profile last researched July 13, 2026.