Manuel J. de Castro, Jr.
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Sioux Falls, SD
de Castro Law Office PLLC
Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in South Dakota since: 2001
Education: The University of South Dakota School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2026 Call today:
605-937-0879
de Castro Law Office PLLC
224 N PhillipsSuite 207
Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Visit website
The founder of de Castro Law Office PLLC in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Manuel J. de Castro Jr. is a formidable attorney dedicated to providing reliable defense to people who have been accused of crimes including murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault and rape, among others. With more than two decades of experience in the legal sphere, he extends his practice to clients across the state.
A graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law, Mr. de Castro received his Juris Doctor in 2000 and in the following year was admitted to the State Bar of South Dakota. Further licensed to appear before the U.S. District Courts for the District of South Dakota, he also graduated from the Western Trial Advocacy Institute. Ever since, he has stayed committed to defending individuals who are facing the most serious crimes and protecting their rights at court.
What sets Mr. de Castro apart is his deeply personal approach to legal representation. He provides clear communication, honest assessments and straightforward guidance regarding your options, potential outcomes, and legal costs from day one. You can rely on transparent answers that allow you to make fully informed decisions with confidence, ensuring you always understand where your case stands without hidden surprises or unrealistic promises along the way.
You receive direct attorney access backed by a dedicated team committed to providing a vigorous defense. Mr. de Castro takes the time to listen to your unique concerns, tailoring a defense strategy specific to your goals. Supported by a responsive legal team that keeps your case moving forward smoothly, he ensures you receive the dedicated attention, reliable support and relentless advocacy required to safeguard your rights.
Other Location: 118 W Center St, Suite 2 Madison, SD 57042
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Debt, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crime
- 80% Criminal Defense
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2001, South Dakota
Professional Webpage: https://decastrolawoffice.com/attorney
Bar / Professional Activity
- State Bar of South Dakota, 2001
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, 2001
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- State v. Scholl — Forgery
- State v. Robinson — Grand Theft, Habitual
- State v. Wilson — Possession of Marijuana ½ pound to 1 pound, Intent to Distribute
- State v. Smiley — 1st degree Rape less than 10 years old
- State v. Maldonado — Attempted Murder 2nd degree, Attempted Manslaughter
- State v. Hassan — Manslaughter 1st degree, Receive and Transfer Stolen Vehicle
- State v. Westra — Grand Theft, Receive and Transfer Stolen Vehicle, Identity Theft
- State v. Jimmerson — Burglary 2nd Degree
- State v. Swanson — Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- State v. Fairbotham — Aggravated Assault and Burglary 1st Degree
- State v. Renschler — DUI 2nd
- State v. Hoppe — 2nd degree Rape and Aggravated Assault
- State v. Randle — Accessory to Manslaughter, Abuse and Cruelty to Minors
- State v. Burks — Murder in the 1st degree, Attempted Murder
- United States v. Hintz, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 54415 — Motion for acquittal involving charges of harboring escaped prisoners and instigating an escape, based on alleged insufficiency of the evidence, in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- State v. Iversen, 2009 SD 48 — Criminal appeal involving a DUI conviction for driving with a prohibited blood-alcohol level before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- Monette v. Weber, 2009 SD 77 — Post-conviction/habeas corpus appeal involving voluntariness of a plea, effectiveness of counsel, and the right to a firearms expert before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Kessler, 2009 SD 76 — Criminal appeal involving an aggravated grand-theft-by-deception conviction before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- Federiconi v. Client Servs., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46363 — Civil litigation involving a motion to strike portions of a rebuttal brief and affidavit in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- United States v. Randall, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29387 — Federal criminal motion practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- Zahrbock v. Star Brite Inn Motel, 2010 SD 73 — Civil appeal concerning equitable tolling of the three-year personal-injury statute of limitations before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- Allen v. River Crossing, LLC, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 75639 — Civil litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- United States v. Ahlers, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 177471 — Motion to suppress evidence seized pursuant to a residential search warrant in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- Ruschenberg v. Eliason, 2014 SD 42 — Civil appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- United States v. Johnson, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 81539 — Motion to suppress physical evidence seized pursuant to warrants based on a challenged trash search in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- McDonough v. Weber, 2015 SD 1 — Appeal concerning denial of an amended petition for writ of habeas corpus before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- United States v. Vonwille, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 85433 — Motion for compassionate release in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- United States v. Muhs, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27339 — Federal criminal motion practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- United States v. Madrigal, 136 F.4th 766 (8th Cir. 2025) — Federal criminal appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- United States v. Cathey, 997 F.3d 827 (8th Cir. 2021) — Federal criminal appeal following denial of motions for mistrial and a new trial before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- State v. Angle, 2021 SD 21 — Criminal appeal involving suppression of statements and a motion for judgment of acquittal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Guziak, 2021 SD 68 — Criminal appeal concerning whether the State breached the plea agreement and whether the alleged breach prejudiced the defendant's substantial rights.
- United States v. Camacho, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 184830 — Federal criminal motion practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.
- United States v. Bailey, 54 F.4th 1037 (8th Cir. 2022) — Federal criminal appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- LaCroix v. Fluke, 2022 SD 29 — Post-conviction/habeas corpus appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Alexander, 2022 SD 31 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Dutton, 2023 SD 29 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Smith, 2023 SD 32 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Banks, 2023 SD 39 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- Hart v. Houdyshell, No. 3:23-cv-3030 (D.S.D. 2023) — First Amendment civil-rights litigation resulting in an agreement by the State to amend its personalized license plate law and related Motor Vehicle Division policy.
- United States v. Sejnoha, 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 292 (8th Cir. 2024) — Federal criminal appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
- State v. Feucht, 2024 SD 16 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Simonsen, 2024 SD 21 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
- State v. Dietz, 2024 SD 70 — Criminal appeal before the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Educational Background
- Western Trial Advocacy Institute
Honors
- Selected and certified as a 2026 Distinguished Member of Lawyers of Distinction.
- Multiple Not Guilty verdicts in South Dakota's most serious felony cases, including Murder, Manslaughter, Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Rape.
- The only South Dakota criminal defense attorney to secure two successful appellate victories in a single day.
- Completed multiple Advanced Trial Lawyers College programs.
- Graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College (2006) and the Gerry Spence Death Penalty College (2010).
- Selected for the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College — approximately 50 attorneys nationwide accepted each year.
Office location for Manuel J. de Castro, Jr.
224 N Phillips
Suite 207
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: 605-937-0879
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2026
